Rutgers Ethics Study - Corruption Costs NJ $1 Billion

An ethics study released on November 28 from the Prudential Business Ethics Center at Rutgers entitled New Jersey State Government Ethics Reform: Business Leaders and the Public Call for Change caught my attention due to the various headlines surrounding an estimated 1 billion dollar cost of corruption in New Jersey. One interesting part of the study was summarized in the press release:

The poll findings indicate that “New Jersey residents view citizens’ groups as having the greatest potential for raising ethical standards to combat political corruption,” with 26% of the respondents looking to citizens’ groups, “followed by the governor (20%), state and federal prosecutors (17%) and the State Legislature (12%). Business leaders were at the bottom of the list (6%).”

What I find interesting about this comment is that the leaders polled had such an exceptionally low view of the ability of the governor, elected leaders as well as the business community to fix the ethics problem. When I saw this, I expected an unnamed list of participants from the general public. I could not have been more wrong. This study relied on an impressive list of various public policy and business savvy individuals who are listed by name. More interesting is that many of the players polled are typically at odds on various issues politically.

I am however left with the feeling that this study could start the process rolling but a lot more needs to happen to get the ethics problem under control. Given the cost of corruption here, it should be a priority item.

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