HOW IS ENFORCEMENT OF THE ETHICS LAW INSTITUTED?
Any person may file a complaint with the Commission. A complaint must be written, be signed and under oath, and allege a violation of the Ethics Law by an official, employee or other person subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission may reject a complaint it deems plainly frivolous. The Commission may also issue a complaint on its own initiative. The complaint process is address in the State Government Article Title 15 Subtitle 4. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A COMPLAINT IS FILED OR ISSUED? After a complaint is issued or accepted, staff counsel initiates an investigation. Based on this investigation, the Commission determines whether to accept a cure or settlement of the violation in accordance with Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t 15-403 or conduct a formal contested case hearing in accordance with 15-404. Consideration of the complaint and the hearing process are confidential. The matter becomes public if the Respondent waives confidentiality, the Commission, after a hearing, finds tha
