EAO 080

Payment to a state representative personally in the amount of a ticket paid for out of political funds would, in the circumstances described, be prohibited. Payment to a state representative personally in the amount of the cost of a ticket paid for out of personal funds would be a prohibited benefit. As long as a payment is not given as consideration for the state representative’s decision, opinion, recommendation, vote, or other exercise of discretion as a public servant, the state representative may accept an officeholder contribution or a campaign contribution in the amount of the cost of the ticket.