Shawn Cadime, town administrator, Seekonk, Massachusetts, was publicly censured for conduct that violated Tenet 7 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. While serving as Seekonk’s appointed town administrator, Cadime ran for mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts. During his mayoral campaign, Cadime raised thousands of dollars and received an endorsement from the Fall River firefighters’ union. Cadime lost the election.

Liane Inkster, former county administrator, Lane County, Oregon, was publicly censured and permanently barred from future membership in ICMA for conduct that violated Tenets 2, 3, and 12 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. Without governing body approval, Inkster directed staff to pay her funds designated as deferred compensation and then violated county policy by directing staff to compensate her for unused sick and vacation time in excess of the amount provided for in the policy. Inkster lied to commissioners when providing details about the matter. A fact-finding committee appointed by the Oregon City/County Management Association was instrumental in obtaining the necessary facts and documentation.

Samuel Noble, former town manager, Tarboro, North Carolina, was publicly censured, permanently expelled from membership in ICMA, and had his ICMA Credential revoked for conduct that violated Tenets 2, 3, and 12 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. Without governing body approval or evidence of a policy change, Noble changed his life insurance policy and received approximately $87,000 in reimbursements for extra premium payments made to the policy; received more than $366,000 in reimbursements for purchases that appeared personal in nature or unassociated with his duties as town manager; and violated town purchasing policy by using his personal credit to make purchases, never completing a purchase order as per policy, and having purchases sent to his home instead of town offices.  A fact-finding committee appointed by the North Carolina City/County Management Association secured the necessary facts and documents on which the Committee on Professional Conduct and ICMA Executive Board relied.

Bruce Rudd, city manager, Fresno, California, was publicly censured for conduct that violated Tenet 2 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. On two occasions, Rudd publicly supported a ballot measure in Sacramento proposing that the city change its form of government from council-manager to mayor-council. Rudd failed to contact the city manager of Sacramento before making his comments. Members have the right to voice their opinion on public issues. The board found that it was unethical and unprofessional of Rudd to offer public comments on a matter that had the potential to undermine a colleague without notifying that colleague in advance. Had the measure passed, the responsibilities of the city manager would have been transferred to the mayor and significantly affected the city manager position and its occupant.

Ethics Information

Members are encouraged to read the ICMA Code of Ethics and Guidelines and to seek advice when unsure of their ethical obligation by contacting Martha Perego, ICMA director of ethics, at 202-962-3668 or mperego@icma.org or Jared Dailey, program manager, at 202-962-3557 or jdailey@icma.org. Ethics advice, information, and the ICMA Code of Ethics are available online at icma.org/ethics.