Ethics commission to review deals

In the wake of a series of news reports, the state's ethics commission will examine whether Connecticut law should still permit UConn Department of Athletics officials to receive outside compensation if they have celebrity status.

Ethics commission Chairman Hugh Macgill said the agency plans to take up the issue at its Tuesday meeting. While the review would be with regard to all state contracts, he said the contracts involving Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway and men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun could come up.

"The commission is beginning a general review of the rule they created eight years ago," Macgill said, referencing a 1997 ethics opinion that allows a handful of state employees to profit on their celebrity status.

"Our concern is whether to reconsider the exception entirely," he said.

Macgill, a UConn law professor, could not comment on specifics, as the review is confidential by law. He noted, however, press reports had indicated some contracts might not be following the original ethics opinions permitting them.

The Hartford Courant reported Monday that Jeff Hathaway and his wife had received free cars from Monaco Ford of Glastonbury, a car dealership that has long-standing contracts with Hathaway's department.

Hathaway and his wife have received two free cars from Monaco, the Courant reported, despite not performing any endorsements for the company as required by the contract.

Hathaway's contract was approved by ethics staff three years ago, Macgill said. However, none of the staff members from that time are still with the commission, he said, making the "celebrity exception" ripe for review, he said.

Nike contracts between Calhoun and women's coach Geno Auriemma, reported by the Courant in February, provide the coaches with an undisclosed sum of money and Nike products in exchange for personal appearances, product promotion and supplying Nike sneakers and clothes to the basketball teams.

Calhoun's contract allows Nike to terminate the contract if he lost his head coach position, the Courant reported.

But in a 2000 opinion, the commission reviewed a proposed Nike contract and found some elements would conflict with state ethics laws. The contract would have required the coach to "influence" players to use Nike products and tie his compensation directly to his coaching position, according to the agency-all violations of state ethics code.

The commission stressed at the time the provisions "were only Nike proposals and that coach Calhoun maintains that he did not, and would not, engage in any of the above discussed activities which would conflict with his state responsibilities under the Code.

UConn pays Calhoun $1.4 million a year, while Auriemma receives $825,000 annually.

The "celebrity exception" is nothing new. While Connecticut law forbids state employees from profiting on their titles, the commission eight years ago ruled state employees like Calhoun and Auriemma may profit a non-state entity or themselves if they were invited to solely because of their celebrity status rather than state responsibilities.

The exception allows celebrities like Calhoun to accept outside

compensation from businesses big and small, ranging from Nike to the Old Saybrook-based Ava Romeo's Pasta Sauce, who signed him on as their regional spokesman last month.

Calhoun has turned to the commission several times since the exception's inception for advice book deals, restaurant publicity and Coca-Cola contracts.

Ethics commission staff members are currently compiling a list of "every instance" where the agency has applied the exception, Maghill said. He did not know specifically whose names would come up, but said the inquiry would not be limited to UConn officials.

Spokespersons for UConn and the Department of Athletics did not return phone calls for comment at press time. In an annual media guide, the athletics program said it "adheres to the highest standards of integrity and ethics."

"The Division of Athletics promotes principles of good sportsmanship, honesty and fiscal responsibility in compliance with university, state, NCAA and conference regulations," it stated.

"In light of recent questions raised about the appropriateness of certain celebrity exceptions, the governor welcomes a review by the ethics commission," said Judd Everhart, a spokesperson for Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Rell had previously called on the commission to review Calhoun's and Auriemma's contracts.

While the review will be discussed at Tuesday's meeting, Macgill said, no formal opinion would come for some time.

Asked if the commission might also look into university building contract practices, Macgill said the issue had not been brought up.