QUESTION
What is the process for the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) to investigate potential illegalities reported in the press?
0:54:55
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70 sec
The COIB actively monitors press reports and investigates matters that, if true, would violate the city's conflicts of interest law.
- The COIB reviews all complaints and press reports received.
- An attorney evaluates whether the reported conduct would constitute a violation of the conflicts of interest law.
- The conflicts of interest law has a limited scope, regulating specific conduct by public officials.
- If the reported conduct potentially violates the law, the COIB refers the matter to the Department of Investigation.
- The COIB does not investigate matters outside the scope of the conflicts of interest law.
Lincoln Restler
0:54:55
I'm just looking for context on how long it might take for you all to look into a matter like this.
0:55:01
AND DO YOU LOOK INTO SIMILAR MATTER WHEN YOU BASED ON REPORTS OF POTENTIALLY LEGALITY IN THE PRESS?
Carolyn Miller
0:55:07
WHEN not potential illegality.
0:55:09
We look into we when we read articles in the press or we receive complaints that if true, would constitute violations of the city's conflicts of interest law, which is a limited law, which regulates very specific conduct, we refer those complaints or press reports to the city's Department of investigation for investigation.
0:55:34
Every single complaint we receive is reviewed by an attorney and is evaluated for whether that, if true, would constitute a violation of the conflict of interest.
Lincoln Restler
0:55:42
But you are actively monitoring press reports.
0:55:45
And if there are concerns, you will investigate them accordingly.
Carolyn Miller
0:55:50
If there are reported conduct that would constitute a violation of the conflicts of interest law, which again is not is there's many things that public officials may do that's way beyond on what the limited conflicts of interest law regulates.
0:56:05
Right.