ethics.ohio.govThe Ohio Ethics Commission

Ohio Ethics Law E-Course Available Now! Learn More Grants and the Ohio Ethics Law New Fact Sheet Released Read Here First Quarter Newsletter Available Reflecting on 2023 Read Here Advice Financial Disclosure Investigation Education Press Frequently Asked Questions How do I file a complaint? You may contact an Ethics Commission Special Investigator at (614) 466-7090 to determine whether or not your allegation falls within the authority of the Commission, as defined in Ohio’s Ethics Law. Once this determination is made, the Investigator will mail to you an Allegation Form to be completed and returned to the Commission More information on filing a complaint can be found in Investigations . How do I file my financial disclosure statement? More information on filing an FDS statement can be found in Financial Disclosure . Who are the commission members? A list of commission memebers as well as brief bios can be found in Commission Members . How do I submit a public records request? You can submit a public records request in four ways: In person at the Commission office Via telephone to (614) 466-7090 Via e-mail For Financial Disclosure Statements - Eric Bruce at eric.bruce@ethics.ohio.gov For an Ethics Commission publication or other public records request - General Counsel James Hood at james.hood@ethics.ohio.gov Via mail Ohio Ethics Commission 30 West Spring Street, L-3 Columbus, Ohio 43215 You are not required to identify yourself, but you will need to provide an address or e-mail address in order for the Commission to provide the copies to you. More information on submitting a public records request can be found in Public Records Requests . What is the Ohio Ethics Commissions Mailing Address? Ohio Ethics Commission 30 West Spring Street, L3 Columbus, Ohio 43215-2256 Is there an Ethics Law training requirement? State law does not require that public officials or employees attend an Ethics Law training session. The Ohio Revised Code does require, however, that the Ethics Commission provide a continuing program of education and information.” The Commissions fulfills this mandate with live” trainings, webinars, information sheets, quarterly newsletter, and online learning. Although the statute does not mandate attendance at an Ethics Law training, agency practices and internal policies often require it. For example, Executive Order 2019-11D requires that state employees and officials participate in an annual ethics training. Although such policies and executive orders are not enforceable under the Ohio Ethics Law, the Ethics Commission makes every effort to help public employees and officials at both the state and local government level fulfill any such internal requirements. Does the Ethics Commission provide speakers to public agencies? Yes, the Ohio Ethics Commission conducts approximately 200 ethics education sessions annually with very positive feedback. The Commission’s presentation options vary from 30 minute keynote addresses to one to two hour sessions. Occasionally, the Commission also provides 3 – 4 hour workshops on the Ethics Law and related statutes. The Commission’s obligation to be fiscally responsible, however, requires that travel be reserved for speeches with larger groups. If you are interested in having the Commission speak at your agency or office outside Columbus, we request a minimum of 75-100 people be in attendance. To schedule a presentation for your agency or to discuss other appropriate options, please contact Susan Willeke at (614) 466-7090 or at susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov When is the next commission meeting? Information about the next commission meeting can be found in Commission Meetings . How do I find Advisory Opinions? Advisory opinions can be found in the Formal Advisory Opinion Archive and Informal Advisory Opinion Archive . What does the Ethics Law do? The Ohio Ethics Law promotes the general public interest and supports confidence by prohibiting public officials and employees from: Participating in their public role in any action that involves the direct interests of the official, or those of a family member, or another with whom the official has an ongoing private business relationship; Authorizing, or using a public position to secure, a public contract or the investment of public funds in any security that benefits the official, a family member, or a business associate; Improperly profiting from a public contract; Soliciting or accepting substantial and improper things of value, including, outside employment or consultation fees, gifts, or travel, meals and lodging, from those dealing with the public agency; Unauthorized disclosure or use of information deemed confidential by law; Representing others before any public agency in a matter in which the official or employee was involved, both during, and for a period of time (at least one year) after, leaving public service. How do I find information on an ongoing investigation? Under state law, the Ohio Ethics Commission’s investigations are confidential. While the Commission may share information with other law enforcement authorities, Ohio Revised Code 102.07 deems any complaints, charges, or investigations handled by the Ohio Ethics Commission private and confidential. Therefore, the Ethics Commission cannot comment on allegations or ongoing investigations. Directions to the Ohio Ethics Commission? Quick Links The Ohio Ethics Law E-Course Ohio Ethics Law Overview E-File a Financial Disclosure Statement The Ohio Ethics Law Ohio Ethics Law and Related Statutes The Ohio Ethics Law: Revised Code Chapter 102 Related Statutes R.C. 2921.01 - Definitions R.C. 2921.42 - Public Contract Restrictions R.C. 2921.421 - Legal Business Associate Exemption R.C. 2921.43 - Supplemental Compensation Financial Disclosure Statement E-File an FDS Statement Download a Blank Financial Disclosure Statement State Officials and Employees Required to File School Districts with Over 12,000 Students Public Records Request a Financial Disclosure Statement Request Other Public Record Public Records Requests Annual Report Public Records Policy Education CLE Training E-Learning (On-Demand Training) Newsletters Webinars Upcoming Events Commission Meeting Teleconference 12/18/2020 12:00 PM Advisory Committee Meeting Teleconference 1/14/2021 12:00 PM Advisory Committee Meeting William Green Building 2 nd Floor, Room 2 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 9/17/2021 12:00 PM Ethics Law: Cuyahoga County Webinar Online 10/29/2021 8:45 AM - 11:00 AM 8:45 - 9:45 Fraud Detection & Prevention 10:00 - 11:00 Ethics LawEthics Law: CLE Seminar Webinar Webcast with Live Q&A Online 5/22/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Commission Meeting William Green Building 2 nd Floor, Room 2 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 5/31/2024 12:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 6/11/2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: A Deeper Study Online 6/20/2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 7/11/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: A Deeper Study Online 8/6/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 8/12/2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 9/27/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: CLE Seminar William Green Building BWC Auditorium 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 10/01/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 10/9/2024 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: A Deeper Study Online 10/16/2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: A Deeper Study Online 11/7/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 11/14/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: CLE Seminar Webinar Webcast with Live Q&A Online 11/21/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ohio Ethics Law Webinar: The Refresher Course! Online 12/19/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00...