Stephen Snow And The Appearance of Conflict

Even as AOL lays off 19% of its employees in his district, Stephen Snow is entangled in a confusing conflict-of-interest incident with the developers that bankroll him. In this case, one developer cites their relationship with Supervisor Snow as evidence that they can get development through in Loudoun County, regardless of opposition.

Dietze Construction Group sent at least two bid letters to prospective Loudoun clients in June indicating the benefit the company could provide if selected for construction projects because of Snow's employment with the company. - Leesburg Today

Of course, Supervisor Snow's name was not supposed to be used in this manner.

A marketing assistant at Dietze issued the letter without his knowledge, Snow said. He said he is not involved in the company's bidding process and had no way of knowing his name and position as a county supervisor was being used to lure new clients.

"It violated the agreement that I would not be used in any marketing capacity in any application," Snow said, referring to an arrangement with Dietze. "My name is not to be used in a marketing capacity. It's not the right way to do things and not what we agreed my position would be."

But that's not really the point. The problem is not just conflict of interest, but the appearance of such a conflict, and this is the very definition of an apparent conflict. This is the reason it is completely inappropriate for Supervisors to be employed by developers and construction companies with applications that may come before the Board.

As Stevens Miller has pointed out, even if the actions were not corrupt, they demonstrate a failure of judgement on the part of Stephen Snow in taking the job with Dietze in the first place.

"This raises serious questions of judgment and integrity, and I think those are the principle issues," [Stevens] Miller said. "I would say it showed very questionable judgment on Mr. Snow's part to take this job in the first place. And his dismissive attitude about the discovery of this letter raises serious questions about his judgment today."