Massachusetts State Ethics Commission – Boston, MA

Upholding Integrity in Public Service

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, located in the John W. McCormack Building at One Ashburton Place, is the independent state agency charged with enforcing the conflict of interest law (G.L. c. 268A) and the financial disclosure law (G.L. c. 268B). 🏛️ Its primary mission is to foster integrity in public service by preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring transparency among public officials. The Commission serves as a resource for state, county, and municipal employees, offering free legal advice and comprehensive training programs.

Key Functions and Services

• Legal Advice: The ‘Attorney of the Day’ service allows public employees to obtain confidential advice regarding how the conflict of interest law applies to their specific future conduct. 📞
• Enforcement: The Commission investigates complaints of alleged violations. While many matters are resolved educationally, the Enforcement Division prosecutes serious violations, which can result in civil penalties.
• Education and Training: The agency provides mandatory online training for public employees and conducts seminars to ensure understanding of ethical standards. 🎓
• Financial Disclosure: It administers the filing of Statements of Financial Interests (SFI) for elected officials and high-level public employees to prevent financial conflicts.

Visiting the Commission

The Commission’s office is on the 6th floor (Room 619) of the McCormack Building. As this is a secure government facility, all visitors must pass through security screening, including metal detectors and x-ray machines for bags 🛂. Visitors are required to present a valid photo ID upon entry. While filings are increasingly handled online, the office remains accessible for specific inquiries during business hours. 💼