Search

State Agencies Collect 12,323 Food Items for Thanksgiving

For the fifth consecutive year, the North Dakota State Auditor's Office challenged 15 state agencies to collect food for the Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry and Ministry on the Margins ahead of Thanksgiving 2025. The Department of Labor and Human Rights won the traveling trophy with 11 team members collecting 520 items, while the total collection reached 12,323 food items across all participating agencies. The State Auditor's Office published results on November 20, 2025.

14 Final Ethics Adjudications, $250-$750 Penalties for Late SFI Filings

The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission issued 14 final adjudications on April 21, 2026, imposing civil penalties on public officials for failing to file required Statements of Financial Interests under Section 1104(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a). Penalties ranged from $150 (single-year delinquency) to $750 (three-year delinquency), calculated at $25 per day of delinquency. All respondents were ordered to pay within 30 days and to file missing Statements. Failure to comply triggers additional enforcement action.

ND Ethics Commission Establishes Public Comment Period at Regular Meetings

The North Dakota Ethics Commission has adopted a policy establishing a public comment period at the beginning of each regular meeting, beginning with the March 27, 2026 meeting. Under the policy, each speaker is allotted up to ten minutes for comments, with the public comment period limited to a total of one hour per meeting, and individuals must submit a public comment request form before the meeting is called to order. The Commission's stated rationale is to ensure members of the public have a meaningful opportunity to address the Commission on issues related to government ethics, transparency, elections, corruption, and lobbying.

Virtual Ethics Meeting, April 23, 3:30 p.m.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission will hold a virtual open session meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will proceed from open session directly into closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c), (g), (h) and § 19.851 for consideration of complaints, investigations, employment matters, legal counsel consultations, and confidential advisory opinion requests. Members of the public may attend the brief open session via Microsoft Teams or by phone before being excused.

NY Executive Order 60 Prohibits State Employees from Insider Trading in Prediction Markets

Governor Kathy Hochul has issued Executive Order 60 prohibiting state employees serving at the pleasure of the Governor and public authority members appointed by the Governor from using nonpublic information obtained in their official duties to profit or avoid loss from participation in prediction markets or similar services. The order covers exchange-traded platforms not licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission, including contracts contingent on elections, sporting events, individual actions or speech, and economic indicators. Violations may result in dismissal, other sanctions, or referral to law enforcement or the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.

Townsend Water Superintendent David Vigeant Fined $10,000 for Conflict of Interest Law Violations

The State Ethics Commission issued a Decision and Order finding Townsend Water Department Superintendent David Vigeant twice violated the conflict of interest law by providing water main project plans to local business owner Gary Shepherd before the project went out to bid. Shepherd's company Shepco subsequently won the $4,756,421.71 contract, approximately $600,000 lower than the next lowest bid. Vigeant was ordered to pay $10,000 in civil penalties ($5,000 per violation) for providing unwarranted privileges of substantial value, defined as $50 or more. He has 30 days to file an appeal in Superior Court.