The National Responsibility Monitor (NRM) has released a preliminary assessment regarding Senator Jim Alton's actions during his tenure as County Executive of Westmoreland County, specifically related to the 2012 Keystone Advanced Components expansion. The NRM classified Alton's conduct as Level 3/Questionable on its Responsibility Risk Classification Scale. The Responsibility Risk Scale evaluates actions based on their potential to undermine public trust or institutional credibility, irrespective of legality or intent. The scale ranges from Level 1 (Responsible) to Level 5 (Gross Failure). NRM's assessment focuses on whether actions create avoidable risks to public trust, rather than assessing legal compliance or criminal liability. According to NRM CEO Donna Lowenthal, the assessment found no evidence that Senator Alton requested or financially benefited from the employment of a family member by Keystone Advanced Components. However, the timing of that employment, along with Alton's significant discretionary authority during the permitting and incentive processes, raised concerns about the appearance of impropriety. Several factors contributed to the Level 3 classification, including Alton's active role in expediting regulatory and zoning approvals for the project and the hiring of a close family member by Keystone within months of the deal's finalization. Additionally, the absence of formal mechanisms to separate decision-making from potential conflicts of interest was noted as a concern. NRM acknowledged that the economic conditions at the time and the documented public benefits of the Keystone project were considered as mitigating factors. These elements weighed against a more severe classification, according to the press release. Lowenthal emphasized that Level 3 reflects conduct that, while lawful and potentially well-intentioned, can still create a reasonable appearance problem that undermines public confidence. She noted that such risks are increasingly assessed based on perception rather than proof. The NRM has urged public officials and institutions to implement clearer post-decision safeguards to mitigate similar responsibility risks in the future. The assessment is preliminary and advisory, with NRM indicating that classifications may change if new information becomes available. This report follows a series of recent press releases and articles discussing Alton's actions and their implications for public trust. The NRM's findings contribute to ongoing discussions about ethics and accountability in public office.