§ Ethics Rule 4.4Misuse of Office

Except as permitted by law or these Rules, a state officer or
employee shall not use his or her State office (1) for his or her own
private gain, (2) for the endorsement of any product, service or
enterprise, (3) for the private gain of a family member or persons
with whom the state officer or employee is affiliated in a
nongovernmental capacity, including nonprofit organizations of which
the state officer or employee is an officer or member, or (4) for the
private gain of persons with whom the state officer or employee seeks
employment or business relations. These prohibitions shall not apply
to any act or endorsement if the act or endorsement is customary for
the state officer or employee’s position or is authorized or
permitted by the state officer or employee’s contract of employment
or if otherwise permitted or authorized by the Constitution or
statutes or by these Rules. A state officer or employee may promote
or solicit funds for civic, community or charitable organizations,
including those promoting businesses or industries, or civic,
community or charitable fund-raising events provided the state
officer or state employee receives nothing for doing so except the
costs associated with the state officer or state employee’s
participation in a fund-raising promotion or event paid for from
funds of a charitable organization. No individual or other entity
may pay for, or reimburse the charitable organization for, any such
costs and gratuities; provided, however, nothing shall prevent
individuals or other entities from making customary donations or
paying sponsorship fees to the charitable organization.