in Mississippi

THE COMPLAINT PROCEDURE FOR THE MISSISSIPPI
ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT LAW
General
The scope of the Commission's authority to conduct investigations is limited to:
• Violations of state law by public servants, including persons elected, appointed or
employed by the State of Mississippi or local governments; and
• Failure to file or failure to file completely and accurately all financial disclosure
information required in the Ethics in Government Laws.
Complaints
Before the Ethics Commission can conduct an investigation, someone must file a sworn
complaint with the Commission alleging a violation of law by a public official or public
employee. All complaints, investigations and investigative records are confidential until and
unless the Commission votes to remove confidentiality.
Investigations – Code, § 25-4-21
If a complaint filed with the Ethics Commission alleges a violation of law by a public servant,
the Commission will authorize a confidential investigation of the complaint. In the course of an
investigation, the Commission is empowered to administer oaths upon witnesses and issue and
serve subpoenas on witnesses or for the production of records. When a complaint does not allege
a violation of law, the Commission may dismiss the complaint without conducting an
investigation.
Once the investigation is complete, the Commission must confidentially send a copy of the
complaint to the person against whom it was filed, the respondent. The Commission is not able
to protect the identity of the person who filed the complaint. The Commission must also take the
following actions when applicable:
• If the complaint concerns a public official in the legislative branch, the Commission must
refer the complaint, confidentially, to the public official and to the appropriate committee
of the House of Representatives or the Senate having jurisdiction over the ethical conduct
of its members and employees.
• If the complaint concerns a public official in the judicial branch, the Commission must
refer the complaint, confidentially, to the public official and to the Commission on
Judicial Performance or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
• If the complaint concerns a public official in the executive branch or persons not covered
in the paragraphs above, then the Commission must refer the complaint, confidentially, to
the public official and to the head of the department or agency, if the person is in the
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