News Article | July 20, 2022
Nepotism
LegalEase
Legal Guidance
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"Our county clerk just appointed the sister of one of our county commissioners to fill a vacant deputy clerk position." |
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May an elected official hire the relative of another elected official?
It depends. An elected official with independent hiring authority may hire the relative of another elected official. Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. No. DM-0002 (1991). It is not a violation of the nepotism law for the clerk to appoint the sister of one of the commissioners because the commissioners court does not confirm the appointment of deputy clerks. Please see our Pitfalls & Perils publication for more information related to the nepotism laws.