Ethics Commission

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Filing Complaints with the Ethics Commission

What is a complaint?

A complaint is a written document submitted to the Ethics Commission that alleges a city official has violated one or more of the City's governmental ethics laws. The person filing the complaint with the Ethics Commission is called the Complainant. The person alleged to have violated the City's governmental ethics laws is referred to as the Respondent.

How do I file a complaint?

You may file a formal or informal complaint electronically with the Ethics Commission by selecting the appropriate form on the Complaint section of our website. Note that formal complaints must be signed under penalty of perjury (the online form allows an electronic signature). Informal complaints do not require a signature and may be made anonymously. Please do not file a complaint with the Ethics Commission unless it involves a violation that is subject to the Commission's enforcement authority (please refer to our jurisdiction FAQs).

May I verbally lodge a complaint at an Ethics Commission meeting?

No. The Ethics Commission's procedures, as outlined in Municipal Code section 26.0421(d), prohibit the receipt of complaints at public meetings.

May I file an anonymous complaint?

Yes. The Ethics Commission's procedures allow Commission staff to process an informal complaint that does not include the Complainant's name.

If I file a complaint, will my identity be kept confidential?

Although certain Commission records about each complaint may be made available to the public after the matter is closed, the Complainant's identity is always kept confidential unless the Complainant authorizes its release.

What happens after I file a complaint?

In accordance with the Ethics Commission's procedures, the staff will conduct a preliminary review of the complaint to determine whether the allegations fall within the Commission's jurisdiction. The preliminary review is generally completed within thirty days of receiving the complaint. If staff determines that the allegations are not within the Commission's jurisdiction, the complaint will be closed. 

If the Executive Director determines that the allegations are within the Commission's jurisdiction, the Executive Director may authorize a formal investigation. Neither the Complainant nor the Respondent is notified when an investigation is authorized. Following the conclusion of the investigation, the results are presented to the Commission, which will then determine whether no further action should be taken, the complaint should be referred to another agency, the complaint should be returned to the Executive Director for settlement negotiations, or the complaint should be submitted for a probable cause hearing.