As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
COUNTY EMPLOYEE
All elected officials and public servants who are employed
by the County and compensated for their services. This term shall
not include members of the County's occupational licensing boards.
ELECTED OFFICIAL
A person holding office as County Executive, District Attorney,
Clerk, Comptroller, Sheriff or member of the County Legislature.
[Amended 6-17-2014 by L.L. No. 32-2014]
PUBLIC SERVANT
All officials, officers and employees of the County, whether
paid or unpaid.
The Board shall make financial disclosure statement forms available to all persons required to file pursuant to the requirements of Chapter
77, Part
1, Article
II, of the Suffolk County Code. The Board shall review and maintain these statements and otherwise administer and enforce the financial disclosure requirements in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
77, Part
1.
The Board may conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of this article and Chapter
77, Part
1, of the Suffolk County Code. Pursuant to this power, the Commission may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and require the production of any books or records which it may deem relevant or material to the investigation. Such subpoenas may only be issued by a supermajority vote of the entire membership of the Board.
[Amended 8-21-2012 by L.L. No. 49-2012]
A. Except as otherwise provided by this article, testimony received or any other information obtained by a member of the Board or the staff of the Board in connection with the preparation of an advisory opinion or the investigation of a complaint or referral, or the conduct of a hearing related to a complaint or referral, is confidential and shall not be disclosed by any such individual to any person or entity outside the Board. In no event shall financial disclosure statements filed with the Board pursuant to Chapter
77, Article
II, of the Suffolk County Code be deemed confidential. However, the Board shall provide all documents requested by the Suffolk County Legislature or a duly authorized committee of the Legislature that is exercising oversight of the Board of Ethics. Such a request for records must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature via a procedural motion.
[Amended 4-25-2017 by L.L. No. 10-2017]
B. Any unauthorized
disclosure of confidential information by a member of the Board, or
the executive director, independent counsel or staff of the Board,
shall be a violation punishable by a fine of not more than $1,500,
or imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both.
[Added 8-21-2012 by L.L. No. 49-2012]
A member of the Board shall disclose to the full Board any personal
or business relationship he or she may have with a public servant
who has requested an advisory opinion or who is the subject of a complaint
pending before the Board. If the member does not recuse himself or
herself from participating in that particular matter or proceeding,
he or she shall file a written statement with the Board explaining
why he or she is able to participate fairly, objectively and in the
public’s interest.
The Board shall prepare and submit a report to the County Executive
and the County Legislature no later than March 1 each year, summarizing
the activities of the Board during the preceding calendar year.