Council Member Awaits Ethics Advisory Opinion on Ravenstahl Nominee

Shortly after Adam Ravenstahl, the younger brother of Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl, won a seat in the state house in May, the mayor nominated him to serve on the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority Board. In response, city council member Bill Peduto wrote a letter to the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board asking for an advisory opinion on the nomination. Peduto, citing city code notes that elected officials are barred from nominating, promoting or even endorsing immediate family members. In response to the request, Sister Patrice Hughes who chairs the board responded, indicating that Peduto could file a complaint if he wished but that he needed to clarify the intent of his request. Peduto has since re-written the letter saying he does not want to file a complaint, and is only looking for advice, something he's done in the past. The nomination has not yet been forwarded to the city clerk's office. Candidates must be interviewed before council can vote on their appointment. Peduto believes the only way Adam Ravenstahl can be appointed is if the Ethics Hearing Board grants him a waiver.