Inquiry and Review Committee

Once the Ethics Officer, with input from the Intake Committee, determines that a credible allegation of non-compliance constitutes violation of state law, Metropolitan Administrative Code or Operating Policy, or is otherwise inappropriate for informal resolution, the matter is referred to the Inquiry and Review Committee. The committee investigates concerns, using external investigators and counsel when indicated, and makes recommendations for formal response.

Once a matter is referred to Inquiry and Review, the Ethics Officer will report monthly to the Board of Directors until the matter is resolved. The matter will also be addressed in writing in the Ethics Officer’s monthly reports.

After completing its investigation, the committee will make recommendations to the Ethics Officer who will, in consultation with General Counsel, make one of the following determinations:

• Find complaint to be unsubstantiated;
  
  
• Find complaint to be mistaken;
  
  
• Find complaint to be malicious;
  
  
• Find non-compliance to have occurred.

The Inquiry & Review Committee Elected Chair will submit findings along with any dissent to the appropriate Metropolitan department head (with copies to the General Counsel) for action. For matters involving Directors, the committee will submit findings and any dissent to the Executive Committee (with copies to the General Counsel) for action. The Ethics Officer will submit separate findings. A report on actions to be taken in response to the findings must be submitted to the Ethics Office (with a copy to the General Counsel) within 30 days.

The Inquiry & Review Committee includes the three elected members of the Board of Directors, General Manager or designee, General Counsel or designee, and General Auditor or designee. The committee members are excused in turn from examining matters. One staff member will be excused if a Director is the respondent, one Director member will be excused if the respondent is a staff member. The Ethics Officer serves a resource and reporting function for this advisory committee.

The committee will convene, consider the need for external investigations and develop a timeline that will allow for recommendation of disposition within three months of the date that the complaint was referred.

As appropriate, the Ethics Officer will provide formal notification to principals that the matter has been reffered to the Inquiry & Review Committee.

The Ethics Officer will review potential members for conflicts of interest, propose that member be excused whe necessary and nominate a chair.