Category – Ethics

Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:01 -0500

There Is Such a Thing as Bad Publicity

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:02 -0400

Tidying Up: Spring Cleaning for Your PAC

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:03 -0400

Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds

Matthew R. Koppitch — 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

Rachael N. Guastella — 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

Ryan L. Richardson — 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.

Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Household Definition

Matthew R. Koppitch — Wed, 14 May 2025 09:00:07 -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 ...

Ohio Ethics Commission Releases 2023 Opinions and Investigations Data

Rachael N. Guastella, Matthew R. Koppitch — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 09:00:08 -0500

During the Ohio Ethics Commission's first meeting of 2024, the Commission reviewed staff reports on its activity in 2023.

Ohio Ethics Commission annual report highlights top five categories for investigations in 2022

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:00:09 -0500

In its 2022 Annual Report, the Ohio Ethics Commission provides statistics and lists on several of the Commission’s activities for the year including a breakdown of the top five categories for investigations last year.

Conference ethics considerations

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:10 -0400

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and returns to the new normal, in-person conferences have also returned from their hiatus. Accordingly, it is an appropriate time to review ethics laws regarding public officials and employees at conferences.

Ohio Ethics Commission announces the top five categories for investigations in 2021

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:11 -0400

In its 2021 Annual Report, the Ohio Ethics Commission provides statistics and lists on several of the Commission’s activities for the year including a breakdown of the top five categories for investigations last year.

Ohio Ethics Commission calls for enhanced penalties for ethics violations

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:12 -0500

In its January 26, 2022, press release, the Ohio Ethics Commission is urging the Ohio General Assembly to enact enhanced penalties for persons or entities convicted of giving unlawful gifts or payments to any public official or employee in Ohio state or local government.

Holiday gifts for public officials: Check your list twice

Matthew R. Koppitch — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:00:13 -0400

Many companies like to send small holiday gifts or tokens of appreciation to valued customers, clients and contacts. The question is, does your company’s list of recipients include any public officials or employees? Then you better watch out (and maybe consider checking that list twice).

Ohio House Bill 2 signed into law

Tue, 18 May 2021 09:00:14 -0400

Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio House Bill (H.B.) 2 into law on Monday, May 17, 2021. H.B. 2 was drafted similarly to H.B. 13 from the last general assembly. H.B. 2 creates the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program.

Ohio Ethics Commission issues advisory opinion

Rachael N. Guastella — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 09:00:15 -0500

On October 2, 2020, the Ohio Ethics Commission issued formal Advisory Opinion No. 2020 – 03, addressing ethics questions about public officials attending ceremonial events.

Use of executive session does not create confidentiality

Rachael N. Guastella — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 09:00:16 -0400

The Ohio Ethics Commission recently issued Advisory Opinion No. 2020-02 outlining prohibitions under the Ohio Ethics Law related to confidential information and executive sessions. The opinion answers whether ORC 102.03(B) prohibits a present or former public official from disclosing information discussed during executive session ...

Ohio Ethics Commission extends filling deadline

Rachael N. Guastella — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:00:17 -0400

On March 27, 2020, the Ohio Ethics Commission announced the extension of the filing deadline for 2019 Financial Disclosure Statement forms to July 15, 2020, the same as federal and state tax filing dates.

JLEC gives guidance that "all invited" does not mean "will not kick you out"

Brock A. Miskimen — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:00:18 -0500

The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) recently gave guidance that lobbyists and employers must "affirmatively invite" all members of the General Assembly or all members of the House of Senate to qualify as an "all invited" event for reporting purposes.

Campaign spying law challenged

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 09:00:19 -0400

An Ohio law that prohibits campaign spies was challenged in federal court by Project Veritas, a non-profit organization that describes itself as engaging “almost exclusively in undercover journalism to report to the public about instances of corruption, fraud, waste and abuse.”

Campaign contribution fraud ends with county executive’s indictment

Wed, 15 May 2019 09:00:20 -0400

A yearlong investigation involving the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the IRS resulted in the indictment of Steve Stenger, St. Louis County Executive.