Investigation
Discuss a concern, report a violation, learn about investigations
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What We Investigate
Ohio Ethics Commission's Investigative Authority
The Ohio Ethics Commission investigates alleged violations of the Ohio Ethics Law and related statutes. Our investigative authority is limited to specific types of conduct involving public officials, public employees, and, in some cases, private individuals or businesses.
Public Officials and Public Employees Who:
- Misuse their public position for personal benefit (including benefit to a family member or business associate)
- Have a personal financial interest in a contract their public agency is entering into
- Sell goods or services to the public agency they work for
- Accept or request substantial and improper things of value, including outside employment, gifts, travel, meals, lodging, or entertainment
- Accept compensation from anyone other than their public employer for doing their public job
- Hire, supervise, or help a family member get a public job
- Purchase or sell property to a public agency
- Serve two public entities simultaneously (dual public service)
- Use their former public position to benefit a new private employer ("revolving door" violations)
- Misuse confidential information
- File false or incomplete Financial Disclosure Statements
- Misuse public property or resources for private business purposes
Private Individuals or Businesses Who:
- Offer or provide substantial and improper things of value to a public official or employee
- Offer or provide improper supplemental compensation to a public official or employee
Issues Outside Ohio Ethics Law
| Area of Law | Agency to Contact |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Law violations (Open Meetings / Public Records) | Ohio Attorney General |
| Lobbying or lobbyists or members or staff of the General Assembly | Joint Legislative Ethics Committee |
| Judges or judicial employees | Board of Professional Conduct |
| Federal officials or employees | U.S. Office of Government Ethics |
| Compatibility of dual public offices | Ohio Attorney General |
| Campaign finance or elections | Ohio Election Integrity Commission |
| Civil service / labor disputes / contract violations | U.S. Department of Labor |
| Codes of Professional Conduct (such as private attorneys, engineers, doctors, peace officers, etc.) | Appropriate professional licensing board |
| Private industry / consumer complaints | Ohio Attorney General (Consumer Affairs) |
| Sexual harassment or discrimination (age, gender, religion, equal protection, etc.) | Ohio Civil Rights Commission |
| Poor or substandard government customer service |
Local agencies: mayor's office
|
| Selective enforcement allegations against police, prosecutors, or other government officials/agents | Private cause of action |
| Theft in office or bribery or other criminal offenses |
Local government: local prosecutor
|
Report a Violation
To report a potential Ethics Law violation, call a Commission Special Investigator at (614) 466-7090 during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM). An Investigator will speak with you confidentially to determine whether your concern falls within the Commission's authority. If it does, we will mail you an allegation packet that includes a complaint form, an overview of our authority, and information about our process.
The Commission does not accept allegations by email. Please call us to ensure your concern is fully and confidentially reviewed.
Confidentiality of Investigations
Under Ohio law, complaints, charges, and investigations handled by the Ohio Ethics Commission are confidential.
The Commission may share information with other law enforcement authorities when relevant and necessary to an investigation. Otherwise, state law requires that these matters remain private. See R.C. 102.06(F) and R.C. 102.07 .
The Commission is generally prohibited from publicly commenting on the merits of investigations or findings.
Confidentiality protects:
- The integrity of the investigative process
- Individuals who are accused
- Individuals who submit allegations
If a complaint is dismissed, the person charged may request that the Commission make the findings and related materials public.
