Compliance Connections https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/ Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:44:14 -0400 Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds https://www.bricker.com/sp_resources-blogpost-ohio-ethics-commission-clarifies-rules-for-public-officials-civil-legal-defense-funds blogpost-ohio-ethics-commission-clarifies-rules-for-public-officials-civil-legal-defense-funds Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:01 -0500 Tidying Up: Spring Cleaning for Your PAC https://www.bricker.com/sp_resources-blogpost-tidying-up-spring-cleaning-for-your-pac-2025 blogpost-tidying-up-spring-cleaning-for-your-pac-2025 Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:02 -0400 There Is Such a Thing as Bad Publicity https://www.bricker.com/sp_resources-blogpost-there-is-such-a-thing-as-bad-publicity blogpost-there-is-such-a-thing-as-bad-publicity Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:03 -0400 Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/ohio-ethics-commission-clarifies-rules-for-public-officials-civil-legal-defense-funds Matthew R. Koppitch ohio-ethics-commission-clarifies-rules-for-public-officials-civil-legal-defense-funds Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:04 -0500 On January 22, 2026, the Ohio Ethics Commission (OEC)  issued an opinion regarding public official’s use of civil legal defense funds. The Commission found that while Ohio’s ethics laws do not prohibit a public official from soliciting contributions to the civil legal defense fund, public officials cannot solicit or accept contributions from prohibited sources, including individuals, businesses, or entities that are doing or seeking to do business with, regulated by, or interested in matters before the public agency the official serves.

]]> Ohio Ethics Commission Clears Personal Use of Travel Rewards https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/ohio-ethics-commission-clears-personal-use-of-travel-rewards Rachael N. Guastella ohio-ethics-commission-clears-personal-use-of-travel-rewards Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:00:05 -0400 On August 4, 2025, the Ohio Ethics Commission approved Formal Advisory Opinion 2025-02, which allows public officials or employees to use frequent flyer miles that were earned during official travel for personal travel.

Previously, the Ohio Ethics Commission had found that the use of frequent flyer miles accrued during official travel for ...

]]> There Is Such a Thing as Bad Publicity https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/there-is-such-a-thing-as-bad-publicity Ryan L. Richardson there-is-such-a-thing-as-bad-publicity Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:06 -0400 Even the most publicity-loving among us agree that being in the news is generally not a good thing when it comes to ethics. Unfortunately, stories about ethics mistakes, violations, and slip-ups are commonplace. These mistakes can have severe consequences not just for the public officials who make them but for the agencies they represent. 

]]> Tidying Up: Spring Cleaning for Your PAC https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/tidying-up-spring-cleaning-for-your-pac-2025 Rachael N. Guastella tidying-up-spring-cleaning-for-your-pac-2025 Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:07 -0400 With a busy state election cycle behind us, spring is an ideal time to give your Political Action Committee (PAC) a thorough cleaning. These checklist items should be part of your regular PAC maintenance. But if you haven’t asked yourself these questions in a while, now is an ideal time. 

Statement of Organization/Designation of Treasurer

  1. Are your ...
]]> Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Household Definition https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/ohio-ethics-commission-clarifies-household-definition Matthew R. Koppitch ohio-ethics-commission-clarifies-household-definition Wed, 14 May 2025 09:00:08 -0400 In Advisory Opinion 2025-01, the Ohio Ethics Commission (OEC) clarified when a public official or employee’s domestic partner crosses over to “family” for purposes of Ohio’s Ethics laws. The Ethics law prohibits public officials or employees from using their authority or influence to secure a definite and direct financial benefit for a ...

]]> Overview of Ohio's New Budget Proposal by Governor DeWine https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/overview-of-ohios-new-budget-proposal-by-governor-dewine Matthew R. Koppitch overview-of-ohios-new-budget-proposal-by-governor-dewine Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:00:09 -0500 On February 3, 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine unveiled the initial details of his final two-year state budget proposal. The “budget” actually refers to four different pieces of budget legislation: 1) transportation; 2) workers’ compensation; 3) industrial commission; and 4) operating. Usually, when discussing the “budget,” most ...

]]> 2024 General Election Update https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/2024-general-election-update 2024-general-election-update Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:00:10 -0500 The 2024 election in Ohio has produced results that could significantly impact the state’s political direction. Our Government Relations team at Bricker Graydon has compiled a detailed analysis, exploring key outcomes that shape Ohio’s place in the national landscape.

]]> A Closer Look at Kentucky's 2024 General Election https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/a-closer-look-at-kentuckys-2024-general-election Rachael N. Guastella, Matthew R. Koppitch, Gregory J. Lestini, Elizabeth F. Martini, William D. Mason, Christopher N. Slagle, Elisabeth A. Squeglia a-closer-look-at-kentuckys-2024-general-election Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:00:11 -0500 The Commonwealth of Kentucky's 2024 election results reflect key shifts in the political landscape, both locally and nationwide. As part of a strong national showing for Republicans, President Trump won Kentucky with 65% of the vote, an increase from 2020. Every county swung further in his favor, underscoring the state’s deepening Republican alignment. Republicans also maintained a wide margin in the Kentucky State Legislature, signaling stability in local governance.

]]> Ohio Ethics Commission's New Resolution on PUCO Member Data Access https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/ohio-ethics-commissions-new-resolution-on-puco-member-data-access Rachael N. Guastella ohio-ethics-commissions-new-resolution-on-puco-member-data-access Mon, 04 Nov 2024 09:00:12 -0500 On November 1, 2024, the Ohio Ethics Commission affirmed by resolution its request to the statutory Nominating Council that considers members for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for it to have access to the same personal data that a member of the PUCO would be required to report to the Ethics Commission. You can review the Ohio Ethics ...

]]> Supreme Court of Ohio Announces Adoption of Increased Judicial Campaign Limits https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/supreme-court-of-ohio-announces-adoption-of-increased-judicial-campaign-limits Rachael N. Guastella, Matthew R. Koppitch supreme-court-of-ohio-announces-adoption-of-increased-judicial-campaign-limits Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:00:13 -0400 Last week, the Supreme Court of Ohio announced the adoption of increased judicial campaign contribution limits beginning with the 2025 election cycle.

]]> Rachael N. Guastella https://www.bricker.com/team/rachael-guastella bio-rachael-guastella Matthew R. Koppitch https://www.bricker.com/team/matthew-koppitch bio-matthew-koppitch Gregory J. Lestini https://www.bricker.com/team/gregory-lestini bio-gregory-lestini Brock A. Miskimen https://www.bricker.com/team/brock-miskimen bio-brock-miskimen Christopher N. Slagle https://www.bricker.com/team/christopher-slagle bio-christopher-slagle James Whelan https://www.bricker.com/team/james-whelan bio-james-whelan All Things Tech https://www.bricker.com/compliance-connections/all-things-tech all-things-tech