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Don’t File An Ethics Complaint in Cecil County

July 15, 2009 by Cato  
Filed under Maryland, Maryland Politics

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Here in Wicomico County, we’ve seen our share of frivolous ethics complaints lately.  That said, they are part of the price you pay in an attempt to receive good local government.  It appears that the people who govern Cecil County aren’t too interested in that.  Perhaps that is why they attempt to intimidate those who file ethics complaints.

Del. Mike Smigiel notes Cecil County now has a provision in their ethics complaint process which prohibits complainants from discussing the matter with ANYONE.  If they do, they are subject to a $5,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

In reality, this is much ado about nothing.  State law prohibits the county from doing this.  Therefore, its unenforceable.  However, how many people filing ethics complaints are lawyers and / or know that.  Since the “Penalties” are clearly stated on the complaint form, how many people have been intimidated from filing a complaint – frivolous or no?

This sounds like something out of the Barrie Comegys school of governance.

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One Response to “Don’t File An Ethics Complaint in Cecil County”
  1. Michael Burns says:
    July 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM

    FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CECIL COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION:

    Del. Smigiel’s blog is the first I’ve heard of this. I’ve asked Del. Smigiel to send me the document in question (the one sent to the A.G.’s office). Absent an oversight on our part, we have no policy of including this provision of the County code in correspondence to our complainants, and we do not intimidate complainants.

    The current members of the Ethics Comm. did not write the County Code, we enforce it. If said provision does not pass constitutional muster, or adhere to State code requirements, it should be reviewed, challenged, or changed. If the Attorney General’s office ruled on said provision, it seems odd we have not been notified.

    I will respond further once I’ve had a chance to examine said letter(s). In the meantime I ask that you please reserve judgment, and allow us time to ascertain the facts.

    Thank you,

    Michael Burns, Chair
    Cecil County Ethics Comm.
    July 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM

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