The Voice of Ethics

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 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/podcast/transcripts/OhioEthicsCommission_VoiceOfEthics26-05B_ReverseNepotism_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials Advisory Opinion No. 2025-01 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/advice/opinions/2025-01.pdf] Informal Opinion 1989-INF-0406-1 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/advice/informal/1989-INF-0406-1.pdf]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

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 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/podcast/transcripts/OhioEthicsCommission_VoiceOfEthics26-05A_OutsideBusiness_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials Advisory Opinion No. 96-004 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/advice/opinions/96-004.pdf] Conflicts of Interest Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/ConflictsofInterest.pdf]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

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 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/podcast/transcripts/OhioEthicsCommission_VoiceOfEthics26-04B_SummerHires_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials Advisory Opinion No. 2025-01 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/ThePrivateSector.pdf] Public Jobs and Family Members Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/PublicContracts.pdf#page=19]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

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 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/podcast/transcripts/OhioEthicsCommission_VoiceOfEthics26-04A_Driveway_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials The Private Sector Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/ThePrivateSector.pdf] Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/GiftsandOtherThingsofValue.pdf]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

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 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/podcast/transcripts/OhioEthicsCommission_VoiceOfEthics26-03C_CarFactory_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials Public Contracts page [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/publiccontracts.html] Public Contracts Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/PublicContracts.pdf]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]