ethics.ohio.govThe Ohio Ethics Commission

New Advisory Opinion! Advisory Opinion 2020-01: Public Servants and Bequests Read Here Ohio Ethics Law E-Course Available now! Learn More Informal Advisory Opinion Archive Now available online! Learn More Candidate Filing Deadline: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Please be aware our office will be closed on Monday, February 17th in observance of Presidents' Day. Learn More File Now 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 request for a copy of a financial disclosure statement from the Commission in four ways: Call the Commission at 614.466.7090 and ask for Eric Bruce. Send an e-mail to eric.bruce@ethics.ohio.gov Visit the Commission’s Office in person Mail your request to: Eric Bruce 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 Financial Disclosure . 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 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 Education CLE Training E-Learning (On-Demand Training) Newsletters Webinars Upcoming Events Ethics Law: CLE Seminar William Green Building BWC Auditorium 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 10/10/2019 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ethics Law: Regional Training William Green Building BWC Auditorium 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 10/16/2019 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 12/11/2019 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM -- Commission Meeting William Green Building 2 nd Floor, Room 2 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 3/06/2020 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Ethics Law: CLE Seminar Rocket Hall Auditorium The University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio 03/10/2020 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 3/18/2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 4/15/2020 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ethics Law: CLE Seminar ODOT Auditorium 1980 W. Broad St. Columbus, Ohio 04/17/2020 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ethics Law: Regional Training William Green Building BWC Auditorium 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 05/05/2020 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 5/14/2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: Regional Training Owens Community College Veterans Hall, 2nd Floor Room 201 30335 Oregon Rd. Perrysburg, Ohio 05/20/2020 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 6/15/2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: Regional Training Cuyahoga Community College Jerry Sue Thornton Center 2500 E 22nd St. Cleveland, Ohio 06/26/2020 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 7/16/2020 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 8/18/2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 9/18/2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ethics Law: Regional Training Forest Park Senior Center 11555 Winton Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 10/02/2020 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Online 10/14/2020 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ethics Law: Regional Training William Green Building BWC Auditorium 30 West Spring St. Columbus, Ohio 10/20/2020 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM Ethics Law: Webinar Onlin...