New JCOPE “Tips and Complaints” Page

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) has added a new Tips and Complaints page to its web site.

The page explains the extent of JCOPE’s jurisdiction, and the manner in which JCOPE investigations can be commenced.  It also provides information on what happens once a complaint is filed.

Any person who wishes to file a complaint can get information about how to do so, and can print out a form provided on the site.  (Complaints must be sworn, and so cannot be accepted electronically.)

JCOPE is also accepting tips through its site.  Interestingly, the site indicates that tips regarding potential violations of the state’s ethics laws can be submitted anonymously, though any person looking to provide a tip regarding a potential violation of the lobbying laws must provide contact information.

JCOPE also does a good job of explaining what types of complaints they do not entertain – criminal activity, against local government employees and officials, complaints against judges – and provides information about where those complaints may be lodged.