The Voice of Ethics

Summer is almost here! But before you help your kid land that lifeguard job at the city pool dive into this 50-SPF (Safeguard Public Fairness) episode on summer hiring and avoid getting burned by the Ethics Law.
 
April 2026 Episode Transcript – Earned, Not Gifted: Summer Job Edition
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Advisory Opinion No. 2025-01
Public Jobs and Family Members Fact Sheet
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

How much do you love when a solicitor knocks on your door? What if the sales pitch was free driveway paving? This township administrator overseeing a 1.5 million-dollar road budget opened the door to a potentially sticky situation.
 
April 2026 Episode Transcript – Smooth Asphalt, Slippery Ethics
 
Referenced and relevant materials
The Private Sector Fact Sheet
Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Bob Smith, a 48-year veteran of the Ohio Auditor of State’s office, shares how a concept car factory that never left the drawing board still drove off with $300,000 in taxpayer money, courtesy of a conflicted county commissioner.
 
March 2026 Episode Transcript – Car Factory Caper
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Public Contracts page
Public Contracts Fact Sheet
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Beware the Ides of March – and vendors bearing gifts! Andria Williams from the City of Columbus shares her story of an out-of-this-world gift that was a knife in the back of public trust.
 
March 2026 Episode Transcript – Et Tu, Vendor?
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet
Advisory Opinion No. 2001-03 (public official and substantial things of value)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

In honor of Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Susan and Ethics Commission Special Investigator David Sturman discuss the real-life ethics case of a school superintendent who illegally promoted his own book.
March 2026 Episode Transcript – Public Service By (or Buy?) the Book
 
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Informal Opinion 2007-INF-0830-1 (essay contest)
Informal Opinion 2008-INF-1002-4 (friend as business associate?)
Advisory Opinion No. 2011-04 (college royalties)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Trust us, your family member doesn't need you to commit a fourth-degree felony to know you care. Real-life nepotism stories highlight the pitfalls of mixing love and public jobs.
February 2026 Episode Transcript - Nepotism Is Not a Love Language
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Public Jobs & Family Fact Sheet ChapterAdvisory Opinion 2010-03 (public jobs & family restrictions)Advisory Opinion 2025-01 (definition of “family”)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

A paint discount costs a state employee his job in this cautionary tale of accepting illegal public service perks.
February 2026 Episode Transcript - Discussing Discouraging Discounts: Good Deals Gone Bad
Susan's Dad
 
Referenced and relevant materials
The Ohio Ethics Law & Discounts Fact Sheet ChapterAdvisory Opinion 2001-08 (public officials/employees & discounts)Advisory Opinion 2011-08 (vendor discounts)Advisory Opinion 92-015 (law enforcement & discounts)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Ohio Ethics Commission Executive Director Paul Nick shares the story of a mentor with a "helpful" multi-level marketing opportunity. But helpful for whom?
January 2026 Episode Transcript - MLM Mentor
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Public Servants and Outside Businesses Fact Sheet ChapterAdvisory Opinion No. 96-004 (public service & outside employment)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Raise a toast to ethics while you sip on these sobering stories of top-shelf bourbon and bottom-shelf behavior.
January 2026 Episode Transcript - Ethics on the Rocks
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Selling Goods and Services to Public Agencies Fact Sheet ChapterAdvisory Opinion No. 90-005 (school district employees selling goods on “as needed” basis)Advisory Opinion No. 87-002 (public official selling property/services to own agency)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

If your New Year offers new career opportunities and an exit from public service don't forget your "auld" acquaintance the Ohio Ethics Commission! This bonus mini episode highlights revolving door restrictions.
Bonus Mini Episode - To Auld Acquaintances Transcript
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Revolving Door Law Fact SheetAdvisory Opinion 2011-03 - general overview of Revolving Door and Post-Employment restrictionsAdvisory Opinion 2012-04 - exception example
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov