Tampa Officials Mull Ethics Rules for Nonprofit Groups

A proposed Tampa, Fla., ordinance would require nonprofit organizations that receive city money to abide by a set of ethics rules, including strict limits on financial dealings between charities and their top officials and for-profit entities, reports The Tampa Tribune.

The measure would also require city-supported groups to adopt anti-nepotism and whistle-blower policies and file annual reports with the city that detail board members’ compensation, how the groups spent government money, and other financial matters.

The new guidelines were prompted by a scandal involving the local Lowry Park Zoo, whose chief executive, Lex Salisbury, resigned last year following allegations that he used city funds to build a private animal park. Mr. Salisbury has defended his actions, saying he never benefited inappropriately from them.