Would-be D.C. ethics chairman: public has good reason to distrust government

The attorney nominated to head the yet-to-be formed D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability painted a dire picture of ethical standards in city government while minimizing a potential conflict of interest issue with his own appointment.

At his confirmation hearing before a D.C. Council committee Monday, nominee Robert Spagnoletti said there is “a general perception that our government functions without a working ethical compass.”