City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board – Pittsburgh, PA

Upholding Government Integrity

The City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board is an independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting public confidence in city government. Located in the City-County Building, the Board is responsible for enforcing the city’s Code of Conduct and campaign finance regulations. Its mission is to ensure that public officials and employees act with honesty, transparency, and impartiality, free from conflicts of interest.

Board Functions and Powers

The Board operates independently from the Mayor and City Council to maintain neutrality. Its primary responsibilities include:

• Advisory Opinions: Reviewing requests from city employees or officials seeking guidance on whether a proposed action violates ethics laws.
• Investigations: Receiving and investigating sworn complaints from the public or city staff regarding alleged violations of the Ethics Code.
• Enforcement: conducting administrative hearings to adjudicate violations. The Board has the authority to issue fines, recommend disciplinary action, or refer cases to law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected.
• Campaign Finance: Monitoring reporting compliance for candidates running for city office.

Public Access and Records

The Board maintains records of financial disclosures and candidate reports, which are often available for public review to ensure transparency. While the office is open to the public, many interactions regarding complaints or specific legal questions are handled confidentially during the preliminary stages. Visitors to the office must adhere to the City-County Building’s security protocols.