QUESTION
What is the typical timeline for COIB to determine whether to investigate a matter?
0:52:54
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122 sec
The COIB Executive Director explains that the Conflicts of Interest Board does not have investigators, so investigations are conducted by the Department of Investigation (DOI).
- The length of a DOI investigation can vary widely from a year to much longer
- The timeline depends on factors like the nature of the alleged conduct, what the investigation requires (e.g. witnesses, subpoenas)
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The Executive Director states she is not an expert on how DOI conducts its investigations
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By law, COIB must keep confidential whether a public servant has sought advice or if there is a complaint
- COIB can only speak about a public servant's conduct if the board has made a final violation finding
Lincoln Restler
0:52:54
How long does it typically take COI to determine whether to look into a matter on of this type.
0:53:00
Just just so that we can back up
Carolyn Miller
0:53:02
the the the right.
0:53:03
We're implementing a law that was created in 19th by a charge derivision commission that is intended to protect the rights of individual public servants and their ability to seek advice from the conflicts of interest board.
0:53:15
So every single public servant who seeks advice from the conflicts of interest board, we provide confidential advice to that person and we will disclose to nobody whether that person has sought advice and what advice they received.
0:53:26
But that was Similarly.
0:53:28
Yeah.
0:53:28
Similarly, when there's a complaint about a public survey, whether in the press, or any by an individual person, whether we've received a complaint is confidential as a matter of law under the city charter.
0:53:39
That's the way the charter is structured.
0:53:41
We whether we've referred it to DUI for investigation, that's confidential as a matter of law.
0:53:45
If you sought from DUI, whether or not DUI's investigation.
0:53:49
We believe also DOE would keep that confidential.
0:53:52
They're required to buy the charter.
0:53:55
The only time the board can speak about the past conduct of a public servant is when the board.
0:54:03
The 5 member board has made a final finding that that public servant has violated the conflicts of interest law.
0:54:08
I can confirm that no such finding has been
Lincoln Restler
0:54:10
made.
0:54:10
Okay.
Carolyn Miller
0:54:11
By thank wrong.
0:54:12
That's the only time I know.
0:54:13
No staff member, no board member, could could answer the questions that you're posing as a as a legal.
Lincoln Restler
0:54:18
So I'm asking THEY How LONG DOES IT TAKE ON AVERAGE FOR COYB TO COME TO THAT DETERMINATION THAT WRONG DOING MAY HAVE OCCURED.
Carolyn Miller
0:54:25
THE SO
Paul Ryan
0:54:26
FROM THE
Carolyn Miller
0:54:27
TIME OF CONFLACING, THE a question that's right.
0:54:29
We don't have investigators at the complex of interest board.
Lincoln Restler
0:54:32
I understand.
Carolyn Miller
0:54:32
So DOE conducts its investigations.
0:54:34
They have a broad mandate, and they've also experienced budget cuts.
0:54:38
So how long a DOI investigation takes can vary widely from a year to much longer than that depending on the nature of the conduct alleged, the investigation, what it's required, witnesses subpoenas, and other things.
0:54:53
I'm not the expert on how DOE conducts its own.
Lincoln Restler
0:54:55
I understand.