Complaint Process
The Missouri Ethics Commission is given the statutory authority to investigate
complaints made against elected and appointed officials. The complaint process
and all investigations by the commission are confidential. All complaints filed
must be in writing, must be filed by a natural person, and the person's
signature must be notarized. The commission has jurisdiction to review
complaints alleging violations of: the requirements imposed on lobbyists; the
financial interest disclosure requirements; the campaign finance disclosure
requirements; any code of conduct promulgated by any department, division, or
agency of state government, or by state institutions of higher education; the
conflict of interest laws; and the provisions of the constitution or state
statute or order, ordinance or resolution of any political subdivision.
The commission shall not investigate complaints alleging conduct which allegedly
occurred previous to the period of time allowed by law for criminal prosecution
or conduct which is not criminal in nature which occurred more than two years
prior to the date of the complaint. The commission may refuse to investigate
any conduct which is the subject of civil or criminal litigation. The
commission shall also not accept any complaint alleging conduct, other than
failure to file the appropriate financial interest statement or campaign
finance disclosure report, by any candidate for public office within sixty days
prior to the primary election at which such candidate is running, and until
after the general election.
Within 5 days of receipt of a complaint, the commission will send a copy of the
complaint, including the name of the person bringing the complaint, to the
person, organization or campaign committee against whom the complaint is
brought.
According to Missouri State Law, the Commission shall dismiss any complaint
lacking any basis in fact or law which is frivolous in nature. Any person who
submits a frivolous complaint shall be liable for actual and compensatory
damages to the alleged violator for holding the alleged violator before the
public in a false light. A finding by the Commission that a complaint is
frivolous or without probable cause shall be a public record.
Conflict of Interest
Prohibited Acts
Elected or appointed officials, or employees of the state or any political
subdivision, cannot use confidential information in the course of their
employment or official capacity with the intent to have financial gain for him
or herself, his or her spouse or dependent children, or any business with which
they are associated. They cannot perform any service for any agency of the
state or political subdivision where he or she is elected or employed or has
supervisory power for pay of more than five hundred dollars per year, unless
the service is performed under a contract made after public bid and the bid
must be the lowest received. For a complete listing of prohibited acts, please
see Sections
105.450 through 105.467, RSMo.