Independent Opinion on Mayor's Conflict

An independent legal opinion found that Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss may continue to serve both as Borough Mayor and Director for Matanuska Electric Association. The opinion also concluded that Mayor DeVilbiss must declare a conflict and be excused from Assembly action in any matter in which MEA has a "substantial" interest.

The Anchorage law firm, Boyd, Chandler & Falconer, based its opinion on a review of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Code, the Alaska statute on conflict of interest of local elected officials, pertinent decisions of the Alaska Supreme Court, MEA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and common law principles on the holding of dual offices.

The 9-page, Conflict of Interest Memorandum may be downloaded from the sidebar.