Mississippi Ethics Commission v. Grisham

RANDOLPH, Justice,

for the Court.

¶ 1. The bid of a construction company owned by a Tippah County Supervisor’s step-son was accepted by the Tippah County Board of Supervisors (“Board”). Thereafter, the. Mississippi Ethics Commission (“Commission”) sought declaratory judgment arguing that step-children are “relative[s]” under Miss.Code Ann. § 25-4-105(1) which provides, in part, that “[n]o public servant shall use his official position to obtain pecuniary benefit ... for any relative or any business with which he is associated.” Miss.Code Ann. § 25-4-105(1) (Rev.2006) (emphasis added). The…