Let’s start with the basics. A boss should not have a romantic relationship with a subordinate. Once the romance starts, the professional reporting relationship ends. That’s the rule in most workplaces. The fact that someone is an independent contractor rather than an employee makes no difference. One does not supervise someone while sleeping with them at the same time. That’s a clear conflict of interest that everyone understands.

Avoiding such conflicts of interest is even more important for public officials whose fiduciary obligation is to the public. Supervising one’s paramour while paying him out of taxpayer funds is unacceptable. Another unconflicted public servant should be asked to assume the supervisory role. That did not happen after Willis began her relationship with Wade.

Whether their romantic relationship began before or after Willis hired Wade to work on the case is secondary.