Votes at a glance: Denton Board of Ethics decisions on BOE26-O19

The Denton City Board of Ethics took the following formal actions at the Sept. 14 hearing on complaint BOE26-O19:

- E1 (securing special privileges or benefits): The board voted that Councilor Villarreal did not secure special privileges or benefits (motion passed unanimously).

- E3 (asserting prestige of office to advance or harm private interests): The board split the question into separate votes. On the question of whether Villarreal intended to harm private interests the board voted it was not reasonably certain he intended to harm (motion passed). Separately, the board voted that it was reasonably certain Villarreal asserted his position to advance private interests (motion passed).

- H (harass or discriminate): The board voted it was reasonably certain Villarreal used his official position to harass a person based on sexual orientation. On the separate discrimination element the board voted it was not reasonably certain discrimination occurred.

- Sanction: The board voted to issue a letter of reprimand and directed staff to publish the opinion on the Board of Ethics website.

These outcomes are recorded in the board's proceeding minutes and will appear in the written opinion the board prepares for public posting.