Smooth Asphalt, Slippery Ethics

We the People (Don’t Appreciate Corruption) – Book Review

Susan reviews Thomas H. Keels’ book Sesqui!: Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World's Fair of 1926.   July 2026 Episode Transcript – We the People (Don’t Appreciate Corruption) – Book Review [https://ethics.ohio.gov/ethicslaw/podcasttranscripts/ohioethicscommission_voiceofethics26-07a_bookreviewsesqui_transcript.pdf]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

A heated dog bite dispute becomes a cautionary tale about abusing public positions. June 2026 Episode Transcript – Barking Up the Wrong Tree [https://ethics.ohio.gov/ethicslaw/podcasttranscripts/ohioethicscommission_voiceofethics26-06b_dogs_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials Conflicts of Interest Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/ethicslaw/factsheets/ConflictsofInterest.pdf] Tiny dog shamelessly steals Uber Eats order off front porch (Video) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5mTJqSm36Q]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

When Cubs fever swept Chicago in 2016, so did elected officials hoping to score World Series tickets at face value. Susan sits down with Chicago Board of Ethics Executive Director Steve Berlin to unpack how even access can throw an ethics curveball. June 2026 Episode Transcript – Take Me Out to the Ballgame [https://ethics.ohio.gov/education/podcast/transcripts/OhioEthicsCommission_VoiceOfEthics26-06A_Ballgame_transcript.pdf]   Referenced and relevant materials  Chicago Board of Ethics Advisory Opinion Case No. 16032.A [https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/ethics/general/Deck%20Chairs/LXIV/16032.A.pdf] Advisory Opinion No. 2020-03 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/advice/opinions/2020-03.pdf] Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet [https://ethics.ohio.gov/ethicslaw/factsheets/GiftsandOtherThingsofValue.pdf] Advisory Opinion No. 96-003 [https://ethics.ohio.gov/advice/opinions/96-003.pdf] (pages 7 – 9)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]

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/ethicslaw/podcasttranscripts/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/ethicslaw/podcasttranscripts/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/ethicslaw/factsheets/ConflictsofInterest.pdf]   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov [susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov]