What is the Ohio Ethics Commission?
Vol. III, No. 173 - A deeper dive into this state government agency
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Ohio Ethics Commission is a state agency that exists to make sure public officials in Ohio act honestly, including members of local governments. It works to prevent conflicts of interest and helps local leaders understand and follow the ethics laws that apply to their daily work.
The Commission was created by the Ohio Ethics Law in the 1970s to set clear rules for public service and to ostensibly give citizens more trust in their government. The Commission has authority over most elected officials at both the state and local levels, which includes city council members. These officials are considered “public officials” under Ohio law because they are elected to public positions and help make decisions for their communities.
One major duty of the Ohio Ethics Commission is to provide education about the ethics law. The Commission offers classes, written guides and online fact sheets to help local elected officials understand the rules on conflicts of interest, gifts, contracts and the use of public resources. This education is meant to be practical and easy to understand so that local officials can spot problems before they happen and make choices that protect the public’s trust.
Another important role is giving advice to public officials who have questions about specific situations. Elected officials can ask the Commission for written advisory opinions or informal guidance when they are not sure whether they should vote on a matter or accept a certain benefit. These opinions explain how the law applies and can protect officials who follow the advice in good faith, which encourages people to ask questions early instead of taking risks.
The Commission also enforces the ethics law by receiving and investigating complaints that a public official has broken the rules. If someone believes a local elected official has used their office for personal gain, taken improper gifts or had an unlawful interest in a city contract, that person can file a confidential complaint with the Commission. The Commission has the power to investigate, issue subpoenas, hold hearings and, if it finds likely violations, refer cases to prosecutors for possible criminal charges.
For local elected officials the law focuses heavily on conflicts of interest and misuse of office. These public officials may not use their position to secure anything of value for themselves, their family members or their business associates, and they must step aside from decisions that give them a direct and definite financial benefit. They also cannot take part in awarding or approving public contracts in which they, their close family or their businesses have an interest, even if they believe the contract would help the community.
Gifts and “things of value” are another sensitive area for city officials. A council member is not allowed to ask for or accept valuable gifts, meals, travel or other benefits if those things could create a strong and improper influence over how the member performs public duties. The law also reaches the people on the other side by banning anyone from giving such benefits to public officials if the purpose is to affect their decisions.
The Commission also manages financial disclosure rules for many public officials. Certain state, county and city elected officials, as well as some candidates for office, must file annual financial disclosure statements with the Commission, which list sources of income, investments and other financial ties. These reports help the public and the Commission see where conflicts might exist, especially when a council member is voting on contracts, zoning, or development projects that could affect their own finances.
For everyday work as an elected official, all of this means that these officials are expected to put the public interest before private interests and to know when they must avoid certain votes or discussions. When they are unsure, they can turn to the Ohio Ethics Commission for training or advice, and they know that the same Commission has the power to investigate and act if serious violations occur. In this way, the Commission supports honest, transparent local government and helps communities feel more confident in the people they elect.
You can learn more about the work of the Ohio Ethics Commission at ethics.ohio.gov
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A New Handbook to grow Civic Capacity!
Recently, we created a new digital handbook, “The Citizen’s Guide to Public Records”. This handbook is designed to help residents have a better understanding of public meetings and meeting records. It’s filled with templates, ideas and other information that will open a new world of public affairs.
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