I like Robert J. Spagnoletti. He is the lawyer Mayor Vincent C. Gray nominated earlier this week to serve as chairman of the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability, or BEGA. Deborah Lathen and Republican Laura Richards are the two other members appointed to the three-person panel.

The brainchild of Ward 4 Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, the BEGA was part of the comprehensive ethics reform approved last year by the legislature. The board is responsible for developing rules and regulations to guarantee elected officials and employees follow ethical standards consistent with the District’s Code of Conduct. It also would investigate allegations of wrongdoing by any elected official and ensure transparency in government operations.