The Voice of Ethics

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 

If you are wondering where this year went AND how you are going to complete your Ohio Ethics Law training before 2025 is behind us, do not despair – the Ethics Commission has you covered!
Bonus Mini Episode - Tick Tock 2025 - Last Minute Training Opportunities Transcript
 
Referenced and relevant materials
The Ohio Ethics Law E-CourseOhio Ethics Law Webinar Registration
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

From a Canadian wood splitter scandal to an Ohio wood chipper story, this autumn episode proves public trust can’t be raked back once lost.
November 2025 Episode Transcript - Fall Into Woodchipper Crime
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Advisory Opinion No. 85-004 (public contracts & business associates)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 

Dig into ethics law and see what keeps public trust alive in this cemetery episode. Seasonal hires, family favoritism and other spooky real-life stories sure to haunt you.
October 2025 Episode Transcript - The Skeleton in the Cemetery Board’s Closet
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Public Jobs and Family Members Fact Sheet ChapterAdvisory Opinion No. 93-008 (family & public jobs)Hiring Minor Children Fact Sheet AnswerAdvisory Opinion No. 84-003 (recusal & family hires)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

This Broadway themed episode takes you behind the curtain on scandals. Pension board perks, misused theater tickets, and ethics gone off-script.
October 2025 Episode Transcript - Take a Bow: Broadway and Bad Decisions
 
Referenced and relevant materials
The Ethics Law and Tickets Fact Sheet ChapterGifts 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 

Meet public servants flunking the ethics test in this back to school episode. From side-hustle tutoring to a $60,000 fake fellowship, there's no cheating in Ethics 101!
September 2025 Episode Transcript - Detention! Public Schools, Public Transgressions
 
Referenced and relevant materials
The Ohio Ethics Law 101: The Ethics Toolkit for Public School Districts Fact Sheet
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov 

For better or for worse, for self enrichment or for poor judgement, in this wedding themed episode there are no fairy-tale endings. From cut-rate venues to pocketed fees, these true stories reveal how broken vows can shatter public trust.
September 2025 Episode Transcript - Happily Ever Grafter: When Weddings and Ethics Collide
 
Referenced and relevant materials
Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact SheetAdvisory Opinion No. 2001-03 (gift prohibitions)Supplemental Compensation Fact Sheet chapterAdvisory Opinion No. 96-004 (outside employment)
 
Stories? Show ideas? We're listening!
E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov