The Colorado Springs Independent Ethics Commission (CSIEC) voted today to proceed with an investigation of Mayor Lionel Rivera's alleged conflicts of interest with LandCo, a developer selected to work with the city in the development of a new headquarters for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).  In response, Ethics Watch urged Rivera to cooperate fully with the CSIEC's investigation.

In response to the CSIEC's decision, Ethics Watch Director Chantell Taylor said: "Based on today’s revelation that Mayor Rivera has had a business relationship with LandCo and Ray Marshall, we urge the Mayor to come clean and fully explain why he did not withdraw from the USOC negotiations.  He can start by providing swift and complete disclosure of facts and evidence to the Independent Ethics Commission."

On May 4, 2009, Ronald S. Johnson filed an ethics complaint against Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera, alleging that the mayor had an improper business relationship with the developers who were awarded the contract to develop a new headquarters for the USOC.  The complaint was the first to be filed with the CSIEC.  Today, the CSIEC ruled that the complaint was not frivolous and further proceedings will be necessary.  The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that an attorney for LandCo's chairman acknowledged that in 2007, before the USOC contract was signed, Mayor Rivera handled three brokerage accounts tied to the chairman.

The Colorado Springs Code of Ethics prohibits city officials from "engag[ing] in any actions that may create, or does create, the appearance of impropriety" and defines a "conflict of interest" to include "any personal or financial relationship that could influence or be perceived to influence the representation or conduct of business for, or on behalf of the City."  Mayor Rivera's business dealings with LandCo appear to fall squarely within these provisions.