The Voice of Ethics

Free dinner. Door prize. Vendor swag. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a bit, actually! Conferences are a great way for public employees and officials to learn, network, and bring new ideas home—but they can also create some tricky ethics situations. Chief Advisory Attorney Chris Woeste breaks down what you can accept, what you should politely decline, and when it’s best to ask before saying ye...

What happens when a spam email offering a $100 gift card lands in the Ethics Commission’s inbox? Susan and Nick open this Supplemental Compensation episode with a story that delivers an unsubscribe request poor Kevin never saw coming.   September 2026 Episode Transcript – Supplemental Compensation   Referenced and relevant materials Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 2...

Listen up! Susan and Nick share their top moments from the first year of The Voice of Ethics podcast.   September 2026 Episode Transcript – One Year   Referenced and relevant materials MLM Mentor | The Voice of Ethics Ethics on the Rocks | The Voice of Ethics Happily Ever Grafter: When Weddings and Ethics Collide | The Voice of Ethics Et Tu, Vendor? | The Voice of Ethics Smooth Asphalt, Slippery E...

When a taxpayer insisted on tipping her, a city of Findlay tax agent chose integrity over income. Nichole Alge shares with Susan how a hidden $20 bill ended up spotlighting the Ethics Law.   September 2026 Episode Transcript – Tax   Referenced and relevant materials Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 2011-05 Informal Opinion 2006-INF-0317 Advisory Opinion No. 92-015

A lottery commissioner treats agency funds like a personal expense account – where does legitimate business end and personal benefit begin? August 2026 Episode Transcript – The Chairman’s Tab   Referenced and relevant materials Conflicts of Interest Fact Sheet   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov  

When a public golf course’s back nine borders a city council member’s back yard, even well‑intentioned involvement can land in the rough.   August 2026 Episode Transcript – A Hole-in-One Too Close to Home   Referenced and relevant materials Property Matter Affecting Public Officials/Employees & Their Families Fact Sheet Chapter   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethic...

Susan and Nick head outdoors for two park‑themed stories that prove that even well-intentioned public servants can inadvertently wander off-trail.   July 2026 Episode Transcript – Trail Mix-Ups: Ethics in the Parks   Referenced and relevant materials Ohio Ethics Law Overview Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 2011-05 Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 2009-06

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   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov  

A heated dog bite dispute becomes a cautionary tale about abusing public positions. June 2026 Episode Transcript – Barking Up the Wrong Tree   Referenced and relevant materials Conflicts of Interest Fact Sheet Tiny dog shamelessly steals Uber Eats order off front porch (Video)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov  

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   Referenced and relevant materials   Chicago Board of Ethics Advisory Opinion Case No. 160...

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 liste...

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 r...

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   Storie...

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...

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 lis...

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)   Sto...

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...

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...

A paint discount costs a state employee his job in this cautionary tale of accepting illegal public service perks. February 2026 Episode Transcript - Discussing Discouraging Discounts: Good Deals Gone Bad Susan's Dad   Referenced and relevant materials The Ohio Ethics Law & Discounts Fact Sheet Chapter Advisory Opinion 2001-08 (public officials/employees & discounts) Advisory Opinion 2011-...

Ohio Ethics Commission Executive Director Paul Nick shares the story of a mentor with a "helpful" multi-level marketing opportunity. But helpful for whom? January 2026 Episode Transcript - MLM Mentor   Referenced and relevant materials Public Servants and Outside Businesses Fact Sheet Chapter Advisory Opinion No. 96-004 (public service & outside employment)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listeni...

Raise a toast to ethics while you sip on these sobering stories of top-shelf bourbon and bottom-shelf behavior. January 2026 Episode Transcript - Ethics on the Rocks   Referenced and relevant materials Selling Goods and Services to Public Agencies Fact Sheet Chapter Advisory Opinion No. 90-005 (school district employees selling goods on “as needed” basis) Advisory Opinion No. 87-002 (public offici...

If your New Year offers new career opportunities and an exit from public service don't forget your "auld" acquaintance the Ohio Ethics Commission! This bonus mini episode highlights revolving door restrictions. Bonus Mini Episode - To Auld Acquaintances Transcript   Referenced and relevant materials Revolving Door Law Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion 2011-03 - general overview of Revolving Door and Pos...

Season's greedings! This holiday episode delivers NBA tickets, a trip to England, and other gifts that sleigh (the Ethics Law.) December 2025 Episode Transcript - The 12 NBA Tickets of Christmas (and Other Illegal Gifts)   Referenced and relevant materials Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 2001-03 (gift prohibitions)   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susa...

Unwrap the gift of precious Ohio Ethics Law knowledge in this bonus mini episode focusing on gift restrictions. Bonus Mini Episode - Free Gift Inside! Transcript   Referenced and relevant materials Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion 2001-03   Stories? Show ideas? We're listening! E-mail susan.willeke@ethics.ohio.gov  

From $240K mall deals to Paris on the city card — unwrap this holiday shopping episode. December 2025 Episode Transcript - Checking it Twice: The Holiday List of Shopping and Mall Stories   Referenced and relevant materials Supplemental Compensation Fact Sheet chapter Public Contracts Fact Sheet Advisory Opinion No. 79-008 (zoning & spouse’s property)  Advisory Opinion No. 76-005 (public prope...