Enforcement
Okla. Const. art. XXIX, § 3 requires the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to promulgate Rules of ethical conduct for campaigns for Elective State Office and Rules of ethical conduct for State Officers and Employees, which includes setting civil penalties for violation of these Rules. The Ethics Commission has limited enforcement authority over Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure for Counties, certain Municipalities, Independent School Districts and Technology Center Districts under 74 O.S. §4262, SB 1745 (2014). Okla. Const. art XXIX, §4(B).
Ethics Rule 6 sets out the procedures for investigating and prosecuting violations of these laws, as provided by Okla. Const. art. XXIX, §4. The Ethics Commission has the authority to investigate possible violations of the Rules and enforce its Rules by civil lawsuits or settlement agreements. Okla. Const. art. XXIX, §4. The Executive Director is also authorized to issue compliance orders for compliance fees to obtain compliance with these rules. Rule 6.19.
Important Documents & Information
Complaint Cover Sheet
Fees & Compliance
View Filing Statistics
Enforcement & Compliance Guide
Administrative Hearings
Administrative Hearings will be scheduled before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") so long as the hearing is requested in writing & received by the Commission within 30 days of the date on the Proposed Compliance Order. Filers have the option to select the ALJ Hearing date that best suits their schedule, if a selection is not made, Commission staff will select a hearing date for them. Hearings are scheduled through Eventbrite and are open to the public.
FY 21 and FY 22 Late Filing Assessments/Compliance Orders Information
Confidentiality of Complaint or Investigation
Unless the Commission determines that a complaint or a formal investigation should be made public, all complaints and formal investigations, including documents and discussions in executive session, shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed by a Commissioner, by the Commission or by its employees except to the extent necessary to facilitate or conduct a preliminary inquiry or a formal investigation. However, the Executive Director may confirm or deny the existence of a complaint or formal investigation alleging a violation of these Rules by any individual upon the written request of that individual. A settlement agreement executed under these Rules shall be public record. The Commission may make a complaint or formal investigation and any documents relating thereto public at any time it deems release of that information to be in the public interest. See Ethics Rule 6.9 for reference.
