Court Opinion

ID: 9730658
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:20:06.873512+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:08.383957
License: Public Domain

*539Cotter, J.
(dissenting). I disagree with the portion of the opinion of the majority which finds no violation of the clear mandate of the rule enunciated in Low v. Madison, 135 Conn. 1, 60 A.2d 774. The Low case exhaustively reviews the rationale and history of the application of the principles promulgated therein concerning the disqualification of a public official. In that case we held (p. 10) that the action of a commission must not be “laid open to misinterpretation and suspicion.” The question is primarily “one of public policy” and the “standard in public office [is primarily] measured by considerations of policy in which personal pecuniary interest” becomes secondary or incidental. The Connecticut rule of conduct is contrary to “the foundation of many of the reported decisions” from other jurisdictions. Id., 4, 5, 8. Even where there is a failure to show improper conduct, we have held that a set of circumstances which tends to create a distrust of a committee and a suspicion of unfairness violates the rule which requires disqualification, and it is better that no room be given for suspicion. Greene v. East Haddam, 51 Conn. 547, 559 (quoted in Low v. Madison, supra, 6). There is no imputation in the present case of any action which is dishonorable. On the contrary, I agree with the majority that the conduct was at all times in good faith. The Connecticut rule enumerated, however, is strict in its requirements, and, as stated, there must be no room in the case to cause the public to point with suspicion to circumstances which might create an aura of unfairness or partiality. The rule is based on public policy and not solely on conflict of interest. “Anything which tends to weaken . . . [public] confidence and to undermine the sense of security for *540individual rights which the citizen is entitled to feel is against public policy.” A “possible implication of disqualification” appears to be a sufficient basis for disqualification. Low v. Madison, supra, 9. This issue of disqualification of a public official and the criteria and principles enumerated in the Low case have recently been approved and reaffirmed in Stocker v. Waterbury, 154 Conn. 446, 453, 454, 226 A.2d 514.