(a) (1) Any entity may file with the Ethics Commission a written complaint alleging a violation of this title. (2) A complaint filed under this subsection shall be: (i) signed; and (ii) made under oath. (b) The Ethics Commission on its own motion may issue a complaint alleging a violation of this title. (c) The Ethics Commission shall promptly transmit a copy […]
(a) For further action after the filing of a complaint, the Ethics Commission promptly shall refer the complaint to: (1) the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, if the complaint concerns a judge of a court established under Article IV, § 1 of the Maryland Constitution; (2) the Joint Ethics Committee, if the complaint concerns: (i) a State official of the […]
(a) As to a complaint retained by the Ethics Commission under § 5–402(b) of this subtitle, the staff counsel shall collect and submit to the Ethics Commission evidence relating to each violation of this title alleged in the complaint. (b) (1) Before submitting the evidence to the Ethics Commission, the staff counsel shall notify the complainant and the […]
(a) (1) A hearing on a complaint shall be conducted under Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article insofar as that subtitle is consistent with this title. (2) In preparation for the hearing, the respondent may use the subpoena power of the Ethics Commission. (b) At the hearing, the staff counsel: (1) shall present to the Ethics Commission […]
(a) After the Ethics Commission considers all of the evidence presented at the hearing, the Ethics Commission shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to each alleged violation. (b) If the Ethics Commission determines that the respondent has not violated this title, the Ethics Commission shall: (1) dismiss the complaint in a signed order; […]
(a) If the respondent is aggrieved by a final order of the Ethics Commission, the respondent may seek judicial review as provided in Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (b) (1) The order is stayed automatically until the time for seeking judicial review has expired. (2) (i) The filing of a petition for judicial review does not […]
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, and except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, after a complaint is filed: (1) the proceedings, meetings, and activities of the Ethics Commission and its employees relating to the complaint are confidential; and (2) information relating to the complaint, including the identity of the complainant and respondent, may not […]
(a) If the Ethics Commission, while considering a complaint, finds that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the respondent may have committed a criminal offense, the Ethics Commission promptly shall refer the matter to an appropriate prosecuting authority. (b) The Ethics Commission shall make available to the prosecuting authority all pertinent evidence under the Ethics Commission’s […]
(a) An entity that is required to file a report, statement, or record under this title shall obtain each account, bill, receipt, book, paper, or other document necessary to complete and substantiate the report or statement. (b) The entity shall retain the document for 3 years after: (1) the date the report, statement, or record was filed; or […]
