@Groth said:
To me the problem is not if I trust staff or not, the problem is if the players trust staff.
As you've pointed out, Groth, staff will always have superior power over players. You can't change this, even if you hobble their PCs. If staff want to screw you, they will, no matter what policies are put into place. In my experience, every policy calculated to check staff power or interests can be overridden or ignored, and is ultimately useless. Worse, they are often twisted to justify otherwise immoral acts.
You cannot reasonably compare the situation to judges and their family members. Judges can be impeached and censured in a variety of meaningful ways. Staff cannot, other than removing them.
Character is what is most important. And vigilance by administrators..