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Rule 102-7-01 | Confidentiality.
Any complaint, charge, inquiry, or investigation relating to the proceedings of the commission will be private and confidential, and all papers, records, affidavits and documents relating to such matters will be kept confidential except as otherwise provided in Chapter 102. of the Revised Code. The retention of all papers, records, affidavits, and documents relating to these matters will be in accordance with section 149.34 of the Revised Code. Last updated October 11, 2023 at 1:06 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 102-7-02 | Investigation processes.
(A) The commission shall investigate all complaints and may investigate any charge as defined in paragraph (C) of rule 102-1-01 of the Administrative Code. (B) The commission may request additional information from any person in its investigation of a complaint or charge. (C) A person from whom information is requested, by subpoena pursuant to division (D) of section 102.06 of the Revised Code or otherwise, shall furnish the information to the commission except as otherwise provided in section 102.06 of the Revised Code. (D) The commission may apply to the court of common pleas of Franklin county for an action in contempt of court should a person fail to provide any information requested pursuant to a subpoena. (E) The executive director, or general counsel in the absence of the executive director, shall have the authority to issue subpoenas pursuant to section 102.06 of the Revised Code subject to the subpoena issuance policy as adopted by the commission on July 23, 2015. This policy and its amendments are available at the office of the commission. (F) The executive director or designee will report periodically to the commission on each investigation. Last updated October 11, 2023 at 1:06 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 102-7-03 | Investigative committee.
(A) The commission may establish an investigative committee to assist in performing its investigative authority. The investigative committee will be composed of fewer than four commission members. (B) The investigative committee will meet to perform the following activities: (1) Prioritize pending complaints and charges; (2) Direct staff in setting investigative priorities based on the list; (3) Review and prioritize complaints and charges to be opened as inquiries, investigations or settlement referrals; (4) Review pending investigations; and (5) Other duties as assigned by the commission. (C) The investigative committee may recommend to the commission whether to open a matter as an inquiry or investigation or refer the matter for settlement. Last updated October 11, 2023 at 1:06 PM Supplemental Information
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Amplifies: – Five Year Review Date: |
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Rule 102-7-04 | Charges.
(A) On the receipt of a charge, the commission may determine whether the matter is within its investigative authority. (B) If the matter does not fall under its investigative authority, the commission shall inform the person making the charge and may make any appropriate referrals to other agencies. (C) If the matter falls within its investigative authority, the commission may review and prioritize the charge and determine whether the charge should be opened as an investigation, inquiry, referred for settlement, or closed. (D) The commission may authorize staff to share investigation information with any other investigative agency and the appointing or employing authority of the person who is the subject of a charge. (E) The commission may take formal action against a person who is the subject of a charge by filing a complaint against the person. For purposes of this chapter, "formal action" includes compelling a person to file a statement required to be filed by section 102.02 or 102.021 of the Revised Code, or to provide further information to the commission, including the specific amount of income from a source, from any person filing with the commission a statement required by section 102.02 or 102.021 of the Revised Code. Last updated October 11, 2023 at 1:07 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 102-7-05 | Complaints.
(A) The commission will receive and may initiate complaints concerning conduct alleged to be in violation of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code against a person for whom the commission is the "appropriate ethics commission" under division (F)(3) of section 102.01 of the Revised Code. (B) The commission will take no formal action against any person unless a complaint or charge has been filed against that person. A complaint, unless filed by the commission, must be by affidavit made on personal knowledge of all elements of an offense under section 102.02, 102.03, 102.04, 102.07, 2921.42, or 2921.43 of the Revised Code, subject to the penalties of perjury. A complaint filed by the commission must be by affidavit, based upon reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred. (C) A complaint must be in writing, sworn before a notary public or other person authorized to take oaths, and include the following: (1) The name, address, and position of the person against whom the complaint is filed; (2) A citation of the specific provision of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code alleged to have been violated; (3) A statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged and include each element of the offense of which the complainant must have personal knowledge; (4) The name, address, and signature of the person filing the complaint. (D) A complaint will be considered filed when it is received at the office of the commission. The date and time the complaint is received will be recorded. The executive director or designee will acknowledge receipt of the complaint with signature. (E) The commission will return complaints not within its jurisdiction, complaints not supported by affidavit made on personal knowledge, and complaints otherwise determined to be incomplete or technically defective, with an explanation of each defect and, if appropriate, a description of the steps necessary to correct any technical defect. (F) The commission will consider each complaint to determine whether the complaint is frivolous, and whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the facts alleged in the complaint constitute a violation of section 102.02, 102.03, 102.04, 102.07, 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code. (1) If the commission determines the complaint is not frivolous and that there is reasonable cause to believe that the facts alleged in the complaint constitute a violation of section 102.02, 102.03, 102.04, 102.07, 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code, it will hold a hearing. The executive director will promptly notify the respondent, in accordance with paragraph (H) of this rule, that a complaint has been filed, and enclose a copy of the complaint. (2) If the commission does not find that there is reasonable cause to believe that the facts alleged in the complaint constitute a violation of section 102.02, 102.03, 102.04, 102.07, 2921.42, or 2921.43 of the Revised Code, it will dismiss the complaint. (G) The commission must schedule a hearing within ninety days of the filing of the complaint under paragraph (D) of this rule. If the commission has not scheduled a hearing within ninety days after the complaint is filed, it will dismiss the complaint. Upon the request of the accused, the commission shall make a public report of the dismissal, but all evidence and the record will remain confidential unless the accused person also requests that such evidence and the record be made public. If the commission refers a complaint or a charge factually related to a complaint for settlement under this rule, the time provisions for scheduling a hearing in this section are tolled from the date the commission makes the referral. (H) The respondent must be given reasonable notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing, a statement of the charges and the law directly involved and notice that the respondent shall be given the opportunity to be represented by counsel and to have counsel appointed if the respondent cannot afford counsel. The notice must include the name of any hearing examiner appointed under rule 102-9-09 of the Administrative Code. Notice must be made under confidential cover by certified mail to the respondent's home address, place of employment, or public entity for which the respondent is required to file; or by delivering a copy to the respondent personally; or by leaving it at the respondent's usual place of residence with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein. Notice must be mailed or delivered not later than twenty days prior to the date of the hearing. (I) Each complaint, except a complaint returned under paragraph (E) of this rule, will be assigned a number. The commission will record the complaint number, the name of the complainant and the respondent, a brief description of the complaint, and any subsequent action on the complaint. Last updated October 11, 2023 at 1:07 PM Supplemental Information |