The Voice of Ethics

Ohio Ethics Commission
  • 5.0 (1)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Biweekly

The Ohio Ethics Commission takes you behind the scenes of the Ohio Ethics Law and into a deeper conversation about integrity and transparency in government. Whether you’re a public employee or official, a concerned citizen, or just curious about the laws that promote impartiality and honesty in government, this podcast is for you!

  1. 6d ago

    Reverse Nepotism

    The Ethics Law doesn't just stop you from helping family members with your public position — it stops you from hurting them too. Susan, Molly Bruns, and David Sturman explore cases where blood was thicker than recusal.   May 2026 Episode Transcript – Reverse Nepotism   Referenced and relevant materials Advisory Opinion No. 2025-01 Informal Opinion 1989-INF-0406-1   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    15 min

  2. May 12

    Side Hustle Main Event

    A jail superintendent's private bathroom renovation. A county official moonlighting as an Amazon delivery driver — in his county vehicle, on county time, badge dangling. Susan and Nick unpack Advisory Opinion 96-004, the Ethics Commission's go-to guide for keeping your public role and your outside business in separate corners. May 2026 Episode Transcript - Side Hustle Main Event   Referenced and relevant materials Advisory Opinion No. 96-004 Conflicts of Interest Fact Sheet   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    15 min

  3. Apr 28

    Earned, Not Gifted: Summer Job Edition

    Summer is almost here! But before you help your kid land that lifeguard job at the city pool dive into this 50-SPF (Safeguard Public Fairness) episode on summer hiring and avoid getting burned by the Ethics Law.   April 2026 Episode Transcript – Earned, Not Gifted: Summer Job Edition   Referenced and relevant materials Advisory Opinion No. 2025-01 Public Jobs and Family Members Fact Sheet   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    9 min

  4. Apr 14

    Smooth Asphalt, Slippery Ethics

    How much do you love when a solicitor knocks on your door? What if the sales pitch was free driveway paving? This township administrator overseeing a 1.5 million-dollar road budget opened the door to a potentially sticky situation.   April 2026 Episode Transcript – Smooth Asphalt, Slippery Ethics   Referenced and relevant materials The Private Sector Fact Sheet Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    12 min

  5. Mar 31

    Car Factory Caper

    Bob Smith, a 48-year veteran of the Ohio Auditor of State’s office, shares how a concept car factory that never left the drawing board still drove off with $300,000 in taxpayer money, courtesy of a conflicted county commissioner.   March 2026 Episode Transcript – Car Factory Caper   Referenced and relevant materials Public Contracts page Public Contracts Fact Sheet   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    13 min

  6. Mar 17

    Et Tu, Vendor?

    Beware the Ides of March – and vendors bearing gifts! Andria Williams from the City of Columbus shares her story of an out-of-this-world gift that was a knife in the back of public trust.   March 2026 Episode Transcript – Et Tu, Vendor?   Referenced and relevant materials Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 2001-03 (public official and substantial things of value)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    12 min

  7. Mar 3

    Public Service By (or Buy?) the Book

    In honor of Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Susan and Ethics Commission Special Investigator David Sturman discuss the real-life ethics case of a school superintendent who illegally promoted his own book. March 2026 Episode Transcript – Public Service By (or Buy?) the Book     Referenced and relevant materials Informal Opinion 2007-INF-0830-1 (essay contest) Informal Opinion 2008-INF-1002-4 (friend as business associate?) Advisory Opinion No. 2011-04 (college royalties)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    13 min

  8. Feb 17

    Nepotism Is Not a Love Language

    Trust us, your family member doesn't need you to commit a fourth-degree felony to know you care. Real-life nepotism stories highlight the pitfalls of mixing love and public jobs. February 2026 Episode Transcript - Nepotism Is Not a Love Language   Referenced and relevant materials Public Jobs & Family Fact Sheet Chapter Advisory Opinion 2010-03 (public jobs & family restrictions) Advisory Opinion 2025-01 (definition of “family”)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov

    12 min
See All (23)

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About

The Ohio Ethics Commission takes you behind the scenes of the Ohio Ethics Law and into a deeper conversation about integrity and transparency in government. Whether you’re a public employee or official, a concerned citizen, or just curious about the laws that promote impartiality and honesty in government, this podcast is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Ohio Ethics Commission
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Voice of Ethics

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