According to this article in Forbes, outgoing Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (Republican) is shocked, SHOCKED that anyone would question the ethics of he and his wife receiving gifts through wedding registries at two department stores.
Yes, they were married in 1974. But, apparently, gifts over $100 given to public servants are prohibited by ethics rules unless given by relatives or for an engagement or wedding. So, what does it matter that the wedding was over 30 years ago? And in any case, the governor and his wife are leaving office so surely no one would think the gifts are unethical. Right?
Other articles quote State Sen. Gilbert Baker (Republican), the state Republican Party chairman, saying he was not aware of the registries but saw no problem with them. "I'm glad you let me know about it so I can get online and buy him something,"
To be fair, incoming Democrat Mike Beebe may (or may not) have a few of his own ethics problems. But I am glad that these situations get aired in public so the citizens can make their own determinations.
Aloha!
