Opinion 95-84

June 29, 1995

Hon.

Dear Justice:

         At its meeting of June 8, 1995, the Committee considered your inquiry concerning the giving to you by a court officer of a small original watercolor painting as a gift for your returning to the officer his lost billfold containing $150.

         The Committee sees no specific ethical prohibition barring your acceptance of the painting. But, as you correctly perceive in your letter, you have a right to decline to accept it, stating that you deem it inappropriate for you to accept the gift from the court officer for having done what was proper.

                                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                                     Louis C. Benza

                                                                     For the Committee

cc: Hon. Samuel J. Silverman