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Overview
Facts Discussion
Provenance Draft

PASS 1: Contextual Framework Facts Section

Case 145: Expert Witness—Disclosure of Interests Represented

R Roles
0
Classes
6
Individuals
S States
5
Classes
5
Individuals
Rs Resources
1
Classes
1
Individuals

Extracted Ontology Entities

18 RDF entities extracted organized by concept type

R Roles

Roles Classes
0
No new roles classes were identified in this section.
Roles Individuals
6
No new roles classes were discovered - the 6 individual(s) below reference existing classes from the ontology.
Engineer A DOE Employee
Employer Relationship Role
Linked
Employer Relationship Role
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena."
"Engineer A’s PowerPoint presentation listed his job title with the U.S. DOE."
Confidence: 0.88
Actor: Engineer A
Role Class: Employer Relationship Role
Role Category: employer_relationship
Role Kind: professional
License: Licensed professional engineer in State X only
Specialty: Coal bed methane arena
Employer: U.S. Department of Energy
Technical Background: Works in the coal bed methane arena
Case Involvement: Employed by the U.S. Department of Energy working in the coal bed methane arena. His PowerPoint presentation listed his DOE job title, and a newspaper article later reported that a U.S. DOE researcher testified at the hearing.
Job title display: PowerPoint presentation listed his job title with the U.S. DOE
Employedby: U.S. Department of Energy
"he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena"
[facts] "Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Engineer A
  • attributes: {'job_title_display': 'PowerPoint presentation listed his job title with the U.S. DOE'}
  • relationships: {'type': 'employedBy', 'target': 'U.S. Department of Energy', 'quote': 'he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena'}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena.; Engineer A’s PowerPoint presentation listed his job title with the U.S. DOE.
  • roleClass content: Employer Relationship Role
  • roleCategory content: employer_relationship
  • roleKind content: professional
  • license content: Licensed professional engineer in State X only
  • specialty content: Coal bed methane arena
  • employer content: U.S. Department of Energy
  • technicalBackground content: Works in the coal bed methane arena
  • caseInvolvement content: Employed by the U.S. Department of Energy working in the coal bed methane arena. His PowerPoint presentation listed his DOE job title, and a newspaper article later reported that a U.S. DOE researcher testified at the hearing.
  • confidence assessment: 0.88
Engineer A Expert Witness
Expert Witness Role
Linked
Expert Witness Role
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
"In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X."
"When asked at the end of his testimony if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE, Engineer A said, “I am testifying on my own behalf.”"
Confidence: 0.92
Actor: Engineer A
Role Class: Expert Witness Role
Role Category: provider_client
Role Kind: professional
License: Licensed professional engineer in State X only
Specialty: Coal bed methane
Employer: U.S. Department of Energy
Technical Background: Works in the coal bed methane arena
Additional Relationships: {'type': 'testifiedBefore', 'target': 'State Y Environmental Quality Council', 'quote': 'The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits. Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
Case Involvement: Retained by a coal bed methane company to testify at a State Y hearing on proposed coal bed methane discharge permit rules. Disclosed his State X licensure and DOE employment but never stated that he works for coal bed methane companies, and said he was testifying on his own behalf.
Disclosure at hearing: Stated he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X and that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy
Self characterization: Said he was testifying on his own behalf when asked if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE
Hasclient: Coal Bed Methane Company
"Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
[facts] "Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Engineer A
  • attributes: {'disclosure_at_hearing': 'Stated he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X and that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy', 'self_characterization': 'Said he was testifying on his own behalf when asked if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE'}
  • relationships: {'type': 'hasClient', 'target': 'Coal Bed Methane Company', 'quote': 'Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.; In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X.; When asked at the end of his testimony if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE, Engineer A said, “I am testifying on my own behalf.”
  • roleClass content: Expert Witness Role
  • roleCategory content: provider_client
  • roleKind content: professional
  • license content: Licensed professional engineer in State X only
  • specialty content: Coal bed methane
  • employer content: U.S. Department of Energy
  • technicalBackground content: Works in the coal bed methane arena
  • additionalRelationships content: {'type': 'testifiedBefore', 'target': 'State Y Environmental Quality Council', 'quote': 'The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits. Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
  • caseInvolvement content: Retained by a coal bed methane company to testify at a State Y hearing on proposed coal bed methane discharge permit rules. Disclosed his State X licensure and DOE employment but never stated that he works for coal bed methane companies, and said he was testifying on his own behalf.
  • confidence assessment: 0.92
Engineer A Consultant
Consultant Engineer Role
Linked
Consultant Engineer Role
C145
Text References:
"Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies."
"Engineer A’s attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business"
Confidence: 0.9
Actor: Engineer A
Role Class: Consultant Engineer Role
Role Category: provider_client
Role Kind: professional
License: Licensed professional engineer in State X only
Specialty: Consulting services primarily for coal bed methane companies
Case Involvement: Provides consulting services primarily for coal bed methane companies. His attendance at the State Y hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business, a fact he never stated in his testimony.
Consulting business: Attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
Hasclient: Coal Bed Methane Company
"Engineer A’s attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business"
[facts] "Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Engineer A
  • attributes: {'consulting_business': 'Attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business'}
  • relationships: {'type': 'hasClient', 'target': 'Coal Bed Methane Company', 'quote': 'Engineer A’s attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business'}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies.; Engineer A’s attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
  • roleClass content: Consultant Engineer Role
  • roleCategory content: provider_client
  • roleKind content: professional
  • license content: Licensed professional engineer in State X only
  • specialty content: Consulting services primarily for coal bed methane companies
  • caseInvolvement content: Provides consulting services primarily for coal bed methane companies. His attendance at the State Y hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business, a fact he never stated in his testimony.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Engineer A Council Member
Regulatory Authority Role
Linked
Regulatory Authority Role
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council."
Confidence: 0.8
Actor: Engineer A
Role Class: Regulatory Authority Role
Role Kind: participant
Additional Relationships: {'type': 'servesOn', 'target': 'State X Environmental Quality Council', 'quote': 'Engineer A serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council.'}
Case Involvement: Serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council, the State X counterpart of the State Y body before which he testified. The case articulates no code obligations arising from this facet.
Council membership: State X Environmental Quality Council
[facts] "Engineer A serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Engineer A
  • attributes: {'council_membership': 'State X Environmental Quality Council'}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council.
  • roleClass content: Regulatory Authority Role
  • roleKind content: participant
  • additionalRelationships content: {'type': 'servesOn', 'target': 'State X Environmental Quality Council', 'quote': 'Engineer A serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council.'}
  • caseInvolvement content: Serves on the State X Environmental Quality Council, the State X counterpart of the State Y body before which he testified. The case articulates no code obligations arising from this facet.
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
Linked
Client Role
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
"Engineer A’s attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business"
Confidence: 0.9
Actor: Coal Bed Methane Company
Role Class: Client Role
Role Kind: participant
Specialty: Coal bed methane
Additional Relationships: {'type': 'retained', 'target': 'Engineer A', 'quote': 'Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
Case Involvement: Retained Engineer A to testify at the State Y hearing on proposed coal bed methane discharge permit rules and paid for his attendance through his consulting business.
Payment: Paid for Engineer A's attendance at the hearing through his consulting business
[facts] "Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Coal Bed Methane Company
  • attributes: {'payment': "Paid for Engineer A's attendance at the hearing through his consulting business"}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.; Engineer A’s attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
  • roleClass content: Client Role
  • roleKind content: participant
  • specialty content: Coal bed methane
  • additionalRelationships content: {'type': 'retained', 'target': 'Engineer A', 'quote': 'Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
  • caseInvolvement content: Retained Engineer A to testify at the State Y hearing on proposed coal bed methane discharge permit rules and paid for his attendance through his consulting business.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
State Y Environmental Quality Council
Regulatory Authority Role
Linked
Regulatory Authority Role
C145
Text References:
"The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits."
Confidence: 0.87
Actor: State Y Environmental Quality Council
Role Class: Regulatory Authority Role
Role Kind: participant
Additional Relationships: {'type': 'conductsHearingReceivingTestimonyOf', 'target': 'Engineer A', 'quote': 'The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits. Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
Case Involvement: Conducts the hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits at which Engineer A testified, and asked him at the end of his testimony whether he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE.
[facts] "The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: State Y Environmental Quality Council
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits.
  • roleClass content: Regulatory Authority Role
  • roleKind content: participant
  • additionalRelationships content: {'type': 'conductsHearingReceivingTestimonyOf', 'target': 'Engineer A', 'quote': 'The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits. Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.'}
  • caseInvolvement content: Conducts the hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits at which Engineer A testified, and asked him at the end of his testimony whether he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE.
  • confidence assessment: 0.87

S States

States Classes
5
changed
Selective Reporting State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Review
Selective Reporting State
C145
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition of what information has been disclosed among the parties, here an engineer disclosing his licensure and government employment in testimony while withholding that he provides consulting services for coal bed methane companies and that his attendance was paid for by a coal bed methane company.
Inherited from SelectiveReportingState · note
A condition of what information has been disclosed among the parties, here the state in which all available information about both design approaches, including risks and benefits, has been presented to the client's leadership.
Properties
Text References:
"Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies"
"When asked at the end of his testimony if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE, Engineer A said, "I am testifying on my own behalf.""
Confidence: 0.9
State Category: disclosure
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: Engineer A testifies while omitting that he works for coal bed methane companies
Termination Conditions: Information is later revealed that his attendance was paid for by the coal bed methane company
Obligation Activation: Obligation to be objective and truthful in public statements and testimony
Action Constraints: Restriction on making public statements without disclosing interested parties on whose behalf the statement is made
Principle Transformation: The honesty principle becomes a concrete duty to reveal the paid consulting relationship when testifying before the regulatory body.
[facts] "Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies; When asked at the end of his testimony if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE, Engineer A said, "I am testifying on my own behalf."
  • stateCategory content: disclosure
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The honesty principle becomes a concrete duty to reveal the paid consulting relationship when testifying before the regulatory body.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: Engineer A testifies while omitting that he works for coal bed methane companies
  • terminationConditions: Information is later revealed that his attendance was paid for by the coal bed methane company
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to be objective and truthful in public statements and testimony
  • actionConstraints: Restriction on making public statements without disclosing interested parties on whose behalf the statement is made
changed
Conflict Of Interest State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Conflict Of Interest State
C145
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition in which an agent holds competing interests or loyalties that bias or constrain the exercise of professional judgment, here an engineer retained and paid by a coal bed methane company to testify at a regulatory hearing on rules affecting that industry while presenting himself as a government employee testifying on his own behalf.
Inherited from ConflictOfInterestState · note
A condition in which an agent holds competing interests or loyalties, or competing role-derived duties, that cannot all be fully served and that bias or constrain the exercise of professional judgment. As a content kind it is the standing tension among interests, covering both conflict of interest and competing duties. Its deontic relevance is that it renders the affected obligations defeasible against one another and grounds the competesWith, prevailsOver, and defeasibleUnder edge family.
Properties
Text References:
"Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
"information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business"
Confidence: 0.93
State Category: conflict_of_interest
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: Engineer A is retained by a coal bed methane company to testify at a hearing on coal bed methane discharge permit rules
Termination Conditions: The retention ends or the testimony engagement concludes with the interest fully disclosed
Obligation Activation: Obligation to disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest
Action Constraints: Restriction on presenting paid advocacy as independent testimony
Principle Transformation: The objectivity and truthfulness principle becomes a concrete duty to disclose the paid retention before offering testimony to the regulatory body.
[facts] "Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.; information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
  • stateCategory content: conflict_of_interest
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The objectivity and truthfulness principle becomes a concrete duty to disclose the paid retention before offering testimony to the regulatory body.
  • confidence assessment: 0.93
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: Engineer A is retained by a coal bed methane company to testify at a hearing on coal bed methane discharge permit rules
  • terminationConditions: The retention ends or the testimony engagement concludes with the interest fully disclosed
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest
  • actionConstraints: Restriction on presenting paid advocacy as independent testimony
changed
DisclosureState
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Licensure Disclosure State
C145
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A disclosure condition in which a professional states the specific jurisdiction in which he is licensed, here an engineer opening his testimony by stating he is a licensed professional engineer only in State X while testifying before a State Y body.
Inherited from LicensureDisclosureState · note
A disclosure condition in which a professional representation such as a business card states the specific jurisdictions in which the holder is licensed, so the licensure standing behind the P.E. designation is disclosed to recipients.
Properties
Text References:
"In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X."
Confidence: 0.9
State Category: disclosure
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: Engineer A begins his testimony by stating his jurisdiction of licensure
Termination Conditions: The testimony concludes
Obligation Activation: Obligation to represent qualifications truthfully
Principle Transformation: The truthful-representation principle is satisfied in part by the concrete act of stating the actual jurisdiction of licensure at the outset of testimony.
[facts] "In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X.
  • stateCategory content: disclosure
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The truthful-representation principle is satisfied in part by the concrete act of stating the actual jurisdiction of licensure at the outset of testimony.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: Engineer A begins his testimony by stating his jurisdiction of licensure
  • terminationConditions: The testimony concludes
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to represent qualifications truthfully
changed
Dual Capacity State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Review
Dual Capacity State
C145
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition in which a professional operates in two capacities at once, here an engineer employed by the U.S. Department of Energy working in the coal bed methane arena while also providing private consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, through his own consulting business.
Inherited from DualCapacityState · note
A condition in which a professional serves a single client in two capacities at once, here a professional engineer who serves a community part-time as city engineer, with duties that include advising the council and approving plans, while also being available for retention by the same city council to prepare plans and specifications for city projects for additional compensation, and who simultaneously maintains a full-time private practice.
Properties
Text References:
"Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena."
"Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies"
Confidence: 0.85
State Category: conflict_of_interest
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: Engineer A holds U.S. DOE employment while providing consulting services for coal bed methane companies
Termination Conditions: Engineer A ceases one of the two capacities
Obligation Activation: Obligation to clarify in which capacity he acts when making public statements
Action Constraints: Restriction on invoking the government affiliation while acting in the private consulting capacity
Principle Transformation: The faithful-agent principle requires the engineer to keep the two capacities distinct and to identify which capacity governs a given public appearance.
[facts] "Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena.; Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies
  • stateCategory content: conflict_of_interest
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The faithful-agent principle requires the engineer to keep the two capacities distinct and to identify which capacity governs a given public appearance.
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: Engineer A holds U.S. DOE employment while providing consulting services for coal bed methane companies
  • terminationConditions: Engineer A ceases one of the two capacities
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to clarify in which capacity he acts when making public statements
  • actionConstraints: Restriction on invoking the government affiliation while acting in the private consulting capacity
changed
CapacityMisattributionState
rdfs:subClassOf States
New C145
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A disclosure condition in which the public record misattributes the capacity in which a professional acted, here a newspaper article reporting that a U.S. DOE researcher testified at the hearing, leaving the public with the impression that the testimony carried government affiliation rather than being paid for by an interested company.
Properties
Text References:
"Later, a newspaper article on the hearing reports that a "U.S. DOE researcher" testified at the hearing"
Confidence: 0.85
State Category: disclosure
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: A newspaper article reports the testimony as that of a U.S. DOE researcher
Termination Conditions: The misattribution is publicly corrected or the paid retention is revealed
Obligation Activation: Obligation to correct misleading public impressions arising from one's testimony
Principle Transformation: The truthfulness principle extends to correcting a public record that misstates the capacity in which the professional testified.
[facts] "Later, a newspaper article on the hearing reports that a "U.S. DOE researcher" testified at the hearing, and information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by t..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Later, a newspaper article on the hearing reports that a "U.S. DOE researcher" testified at the hearing
  • stateCategory content: disclosure
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The truthfulness principle extends to correcting a public record that misstates the capacity in which the professional testified.
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: A newspaper article reports the testimony as that of a U.S. DOE researcher
  • terminationConditions: The misattribution is publicly corrected or the paid retention is revealed
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to correct misleading public impressions arising from one's testimony
States Individuals
5
changed
Review
Dual Capacity State
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena."
"Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies"
Confidence: 0.87
State Class: Dual Capacity State
Subject: Engineer A
Active Period: Throughout the events of the case, while Engineer A holds both the DOE position and the consulting business
Triggering Event: Engineer A provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, while employed by the U.S. Department of Energy
Terminated By: Not stated in the case
Affected Parties:
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • Coal bed methane companies
  • State Y Environmental Quality Council
Urgency Level: medium
[facts] "Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A then stated that he is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in the coal bed methane arena.; Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies
  • stateClass content: Dual Capacity State
  • subject content: Engineer A
  • activePeriod content: Throughout the events of the case, while Engineer A holds both the DOE position and the consulting business
  • triggeringEvent content: Engineer A provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, while employed by the U.S. Department of Energy
  • terminatedBy content: Not stated in the case
  • affectedParties content: U.S. Department of Energy; Coal bed methane companies; State Y Environmental Quality Council
  • confidence assessment: 0.87
  • urgencyLevel assessment: medium
changed
State X Only Licensure Disclosure
Licensure Disclosure State
Linked
Licensure Disclosure State
C145
Text References:
"In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X."
Confidence: 0.9
State Class: Licensure Disclosure State
Subject: Engineer A
Active Period: From the opening of Engineer A's testimony through the hearing
Triggering Event: Engineer A begins his testimony by stating that he is a licensed professional engineer only in State X
Terminated By: The conclusion of the testimony
Affected Parties: State Y Environmental Quality Council
Urgency Level: low
[facts] "In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: In State Y, Engineer A began his testimony by stating that he was a licensed professional engineer only in State X.
  • stateClass content: Licensure Disclosure State
  • subject content: Engineer A
  • activePeriod content: From the opening of Engineer A's testimony through the hearing
  • triggeringEvent content: Engineer A begins his testimony by stating that he is a licensed professional engineer only in State X
  • terminatedBy content: The conclusion of the testimony
  • affectedParties content: State Y Environmental Quality Council
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
  • urgencyLevel assessment: low
changed
Paid Testimony Conflict
Conflict Of Interest State
Linked
Conflict Of Interest State
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
"information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business"
Confidence: 0.93
State Class: Conflict Of Interest State
Subject: Engineer A
Active Period: From the coal bed methane company's retention of Engineer A through his testimony at the State Y hearing
Triggering Event: Engineer A is retained to testify by a coal bed methane company
Terminated By: Information is later revealed that his attendance was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
Affected Parties:
  • State Y Environmental Quality Council
  • Coal bed methane company
  • Public
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.; information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
  • stateClass content: Conflict Of Interest State
  • subject content: Engineer A
  • activePeriod content: From the coal bed methane company's retention of Engineer A through his testimony at the State Y hearing
  • triggeringEvent content: Engineer A is retained to testify by a coal bed methane company
  • terminatedBy content: Information is later revealed that his attendance was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
  • affectedParties content: State Y Environmental Quality Council; Coal bed methane company; Public
  • confidence assessment: 0.93
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high
changed
Withheld Consulting Relationship
Selective Reporting State
Review
Selective Reporting State
C145
Text References:
"Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies"
"When asked at the end of his testimony if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE, Engineer A said, "I am testifying on my own behalf.""
Confidence: 0.92
State Class: Selective Reporting State
Subject: Engineer A's testimony before the State Y Environmental Quality Council
Active Period: From the start of Engineer A's testimony until the later revelation that his attendance was paid for by the coal bed methane company
Triggering Event: Engineer A begins his testimony without stating that he works for coal bed methane companies
Terminated By: Information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
Affected Parties:
  • State Y Environmental Quality Council
  • Public
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "Although Engineer A also provides consulting services, primarily for coal bed methane companies, Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A never stated in his testimony that he works for coal bed methane companies; When asked at the end of his testimony if he was testifying on behalf of the U.S. DOE, Engineer A said, "I am testifying on my own behalf."
  • stateClass content: Selective Reporting State
  • subject content: Engineer A's testimony before the State Y Environmental Quality Council
  • activePeriod content: From the start of Engineer A's testimony until the later revelation that his attendance was paid for by the coal bed methane company
  • triggeringEvent content: Engineer A begins his testimony without stating that he works for coal bed methane companies
  • terminatedBy content: Information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company through his consulting business
  • affectedParties content: State Y Environmental Quality Council; Public
  • confidence assessment: 0.92
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high
changed
DOE Researcher Newspaper Misattribution
CapacityMisattributionState
New C145
Text References:
"Later, a newspaper article on the hearing reports that a "U.S. DOE researcher" testified at the hearing"
Confidence: 0.85
State Class: Public Misattribution State
Subject: The public record of Engineer A's testimony at the State Y hearing
Active Period: From publication of the newspaper article until the paid retention is revealed
Triggering Event: A newspaper article on the hearing reports that a U.S. DOE researcher testified at the hearing
Terminated By: Information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company
Affected Parties:
  • Public
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • State Y Environmental Quality Council
Urgency Level: medium
[facts] "Later, a newspaper article on the hearing reports that a "U.S. DOE researcher" testified at the hearing, and information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by t..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Later, a newspaper article on the hearing reports that a "U.S. DOE researcher" testified at the hearing
  • stateClass content: Public Misattribution State
  • subject content: The public record of Engineer A's testimony at the State Y hearing
  • activePeriod content: From publication of the newspaper article until the paid retention is revealed
  • triggeringEvent content: A newspaper article on the hearing reports that a U.S. DOE researcher testified at the hearing
  • terminatedBy content: Information is later revealed that Engineer A's attendance at the hearing was paid for by the coal bed methane company
  • affectedParties content: Public; U.S. Department of Energy; State Y Environmental Quality Council
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
  • urgencyLevel assessment: medium

Rs Resources

Resources Classes
1
changed
Legal Resource
rdfs:subClassOf Resources
Linked
Legal Resource
C145
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
Laws, regulations, and statutes governing professional practice, including proposed regulatory rules under consideration by a state environmental authority, that establish legal boundaries and compliance requirements for professional activities.
Inherited from LegalResource · note
Laws, regulations, and statutes governing professional practice that establish legal boundaries and compliance requirements for professional activities.
Properties
Text References:
"The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits."
Confidence: 0.7
Resource Category: legal_resource
[facts] "The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits.
  • resourceCategory content: legal_resource
  • confidence assessment: 0.7
Resources Individuals
1
Linked
Legal Resource
C145
Text References:
"The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits."
"Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company."
Confidence: 0.65
Resource Class: Legal Resource
Topic: coal bed methane discharge permits
Used By: State Y Environmental Quality Council
[facts] "The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • usedBy: State Y Environmental Quality Council
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: The State Y Environmental Quality Council conducts a hearing on proposed rules for coal bed methane discharge permits.; Engineer A was retained to testify by a coal bed methane company.
  • resourceClass content: Legal Resource
  • topic content: coal bed methane discharge permits
  • confidence assessment: 0.65
Pass 1: Contextual Framework - Facts
Review extracted entities, then continue to the next step
Continue to Discussion Review
Case texts: National Society of Professional Engineers, Board of Ethical Review.

NOTE: The NSPE Board of Ethical Review considers ethical cases involving either real or hypothetical matters submitted to it from NSPE members, other engineers, public officials, and members of the public. The BER reviews each case in the context of the NSPE Code of Ethics and earlier BER opinions. The facts contained in each case do not necessarily represent all of the pertinent facts submitted to or reviewed by the BER and shall not be considered a direct evaluation of any real matter that may have been submitted.

Each opinion is intended as guidance to individual practicing engineers, students, and the public. In regard to the question of application of the NSPE Code of Ethics to engineering organizations (e.g., corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, government agencies, and university engineering departments), the specific business form or type should not negate nor detract from the conformance of individuals to the Code. The NSPE Code deals with professional services, which must be performed by real persons. Real persons in turn establish and implement policies within business structures.

This opinion is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. It may be reprinted without further permission, provided that this statement is included before or after the text of the case and appropriate attribution is provided to the National Society of Professional Engineers' Board of Ethical Review.

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