APPENDIX E – UNIFORM PUBLIC OFFENSE CODE (2023, as amended through Ord. 3213)APPENDIX E – UNIFORM PUBLIC OFFENSE CODE (2023, as amended through Ord. 3213)\ARTICLE 7A. CRIMES AFFECTING PUBLIC TRUST

(a)   Official misconduct is any of the following acts committed by a public officer or employee in the officer or employee’s public capacity or under color of the officer or employee’s office or employment:

(1)   Knowingly using or authorizing the use of any aircraft, as defined by K.S.A. 3-201, and amendments thereto, vehicle, as defined by K.S.A. 8-1485, and amendments thereto, or vessel, as defined by K.S.A. 32-1102, and amendments thereto, under the officer’s or employee’s control or direction, or in the officer’s or employee’s custody, exclusively for the private benefit or gain of the officer or employee or another;

(2)   Knowingly failing to serve civil process when required by law;

(3)   Using confidential information acquired in the course of and related to the officer’s or employee’s office or employment for the private benefit or gain of the officer or employee or another or to intentionally cause harm to another;

(4)   Except as authorized by law, with the intent to reduce or eliminate competition among bidders or prospective bidders on any contract or proposed contract:

(A)  Disclosing confidential information regarding proposals or communications from bidders or prospective bidders on any contract or proposed contract;

(B)  Accepting any bid or proposal on a contract or proposed contract after the deadline for acceptance of such bid or proposal; or

(C)  Altering any bid or proposal submitted by a bidder on a contract or proposed contract;

(5)   Except as authorized by law, knowingly destroying, tampering with or concealing evidence of a crime; or

(6)   Knowingly submitting to a governmental entity a claim for expenses which is false or duplicates expenses for which a claim is submitted to such governmental entity, another governmental or private entity.

(b)   (1)     Official misconduct as defined in:

(A)  Subsections (a)(1) through (a)(4) is a class A nonperson violation;

(B)  Subsection (a)(5) is a class A nonperson violation if the evidence is evidence of a crime which is a misdemeanor; and

(C)  subsection (a)(6) is a class A nonperson violation if the claim is less than $1,000. If the claim is more than $1,000 the offense is classified by state law as a felony and will be referred to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

(2)   Upon conviction of official misconduct a public officer or employee shall forfeit such officer or employee’s office or employment.

(c)   The provisions of subsection (a)(1) shall not apply to any use of persons or property which:

(1)   At the time of the use, is authorized by law or by formal written policy of the governmental entity; or

(2)   Constitutes misuse of public funds, as defined in K.S.A. 21-6005, and amendments thereto.

(d)   As used in this section, “confidential” means any information that is not subject to mandatory disclosure pursuant to K.S.A. 45-221, and amendments thereto. (K.S.A 21-6002)

(a)   Compensation for past official acts is intentionally giving or offering to give to any public officer or employee any benefit, reward or consideration for having given, in such official capacity as public officer or employee, a decision, opinion, recommendation or vote favorable to the person giving or offering such benefit, reward or consideration, or for having performed an act of official misconduct.

(b)   Compensation for past official acts is a class B nonperson violation.

(c)   Subsection (a) shall not apply to the following:

(1)   Gifts or other benefits conferred on account of kinship or other personal, professional or business relationships independent of the official status of the receiver; or

(2)   Trivial benefits incidental to personal, professional or business contacts and involving no substantial risk of undermining official impartiality. (K.S.A. 21-6003)

(a)   Presenting a false claim is, with the intent to defraud, presenting a claim or demand which is false in whole or in part, to a public officer or body authorized to audit, allow or pay such claim.

(b)   Permitting a false claim is the auditing, allowing or paying of any claim or demand made upon the state or any subdivision thereof or other governmental instrumentality within the state by a public officer or public employee who knows such claim or demand is false or fraudulent in whole or in part.

(c)  

(1)   Presenting a false claim or permitting a false claim for less than $1,000 is a class A nonperson violation. Any claims over $1,000 are considered felony violations under state law and will be referred to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

(2)   Upon conviction of permitting a false claim, a public officer or public employee shall forfeit the officer or employee’s office or employment. (K.S.A. 21-6004)

(a)   Misuse of public funds is knowingly using, lending or permitting another to use public money in a manner not authorized by law, by a custodian or other person having control of public money by virtue of such person’s official position.

(b)   (1) Misuse of public funds where the aggregate amount of money paid or claimed in violation of this section is a class A nonperson violation if the amount is less than $1,000. If the amount is more than $1,000 the offense is considered a felony under state law and will be referred to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

(2) Upon conviction of misuse of public funds, the convicted person shall forfeit the person’s official position.

(c)   As used in this section, “public money” means any money or negotiable instrument which belongs to the state of Kansas or any political subdivision thereof. (K.S.A. 21-6005)