The Voice of Ethics

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 

Season's greedings! This holiday episode delivers NBA tickets, a trip to England, and other gifts that sleigh (the Ethics Law.)
December 2025 Episode Transcript - The 12 NBA Tickets of Christmas (and Other Illegal Gifts)
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact SheetAdvisory Opinion No. 2001-03 (gift prohibitions)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Unwrap the gift of precious Ohio Ethics Law knowledge in this bonus mini episode focusing on gift restrictions.
Bonus Mini Episode - Free Gift Inside! Transcript
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact SheetAdvisory Opinion 2001-03
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

From $240K mall deals to Paris on the city card — unwrap this holiday shopping episode.
December 2025 Episode Transcript - Checking it Twice: The Holiday List of Shopping and Mall Stories
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Supplemental Compensation Fact Sheet chapterPublic Contracts Fact SheetAdvisory Opinion No. 79-008 (zoning & spouse’s property) Advisory Opinion No. 76-005 (public property & personal gain) Advisory Opinion No. 88-004 (uniform vs. definite/direct impact)Advisory Opinion No. 92-013 (uniform vs. definite/direct impact)Advisory Opinion No. 85-006 (realtor serving on planning commission)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

Township travel schemes, turkeys with no return address - this Thanksgiving episode carves into ethical missteps you’ll be thankful you didn’t make.
November 2025 Episode Transcript - Thanksgiving Travel and Other Bad Ideas
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Advisory Opinion No. 2025-02 (frequent flyer miles & reward points)Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact SheetAdvisory Opinion No. 2001-03 (gift prohibitions)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov