Advisory Opinion No. 1997-6

Men’s Basketball Program Utilizing Business With
Which University Basketball Coach is Associated

University of Connecticut (UCONN) Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun has a financial interest in a restaurant located in downtown Hartford, Coach’s. Coach Calhoun has asked whether it is permissible, under the Code of Ethics for Public Officials, Chapter 10, Part I, Connecticut General Statutes, for the Men’s Basketball program at UCONN to utilize Coach’s for team meals and recruiting visits.

Coach Calhoun is an employee of the University and, therefore, a state employee subject to the requirements of the Code. See, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-79(m). Due to his financial interest in Coach’s, it is a business with which he is associated, as defined by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-79(b).

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-84( c ) prohibits a state employee from using his public office or position to obtain financial gain for a business with which he is associated. Clearly, Coach Calhoun is in a position to direct business from UCONN to his restaurant and, thereby, create a profit for Coach’s. However, Coach Calhoun has stated that in order to avoid any opportunity for financial benefit by virtue of his state position, all food and beverage provided to any official Men’s Basketball function, including meals to team members, will be furnished at actual cost to the restaurant. In addition, Coach Calhoun should not advertise or otherwise publicize the use of Coach’s as the place where the team may be seen as a means to generate other business for the restaurant. As long as Coach Calhoun follows these guidelines, it is permissible, under the Code, to have the Men’s Basketball program utilize Coach’s for team meals and recruiting visits.

By order of the Commission,

Maurice FitzMaurice
Chairperson