1: The Ethics Act was updated in 2005 and included:

1. Increased penalties for violators
2. Decreased penalties for violators
3. New gifts for Commission investigators
4. Nothing new, they just wanted to waste time

2: The Ethics Act was created after

1. Gravel was found missing from State Highway job
2. P-Card misuse was discovered in an audit
3. Furnishings were stolen from a State agency
4. Public officials were charge with corruption

3: Any complaint filed with the Ethics Commission that, when investigated, proves a material violation of the ethics act has taken place, the Commission will issue a formal statement of the charges and the matter will be resolved by:

1. Either a public hearing is conducted or the parties may enter into a Conciliatory Agreement and avoid the public hearing.
2. Taking the formal complaint and throwing it away
3. Giving any item wrongly received to charity to make things better
4. Explaining that this was a one-time thing and it will never be done again.

4: If an investigation proves a material violation of the Ethics Act has taken place, the Commission will issue a formal statement of charges against the respondent, and the matter will be heard before a hearing examiner employed by the commission. That hearing will be open to the public and the media.

1. True
2. False

5: Agencies have the right to impose stricter standards of conduct.

1. True
2. False

6: Your agency may receive and use rebates for orders placed with a vendor for the agency, or you may choose to keep and use the rebate yourself.

1. True
2. False

7: Public employees are prohibited from having a financial interest in any contract over which their public position gives them control. This includes businesses owned by a spouse, dependant children, or dependant parents.

1. True
2. False

8: Having your driveway paved at no cost to you by a company that just did a job for your agency and had some material left over is a violation of the State ethics act.

1. True
2. False

9: The Ethics Act, written because of the misconduct of public officials, does not apply to employees or part-time employees of government.

1. True
2. False

10: The Ethics Act applies to officials elected or appointed, employees or part-time employees of

1. State and county governments
2. State government only
3. municipal, county, and State government
4. State government and county commissions

11: The Ethics Act was established in 1989 to

1. Remove unwanted public officials from government
2. Help public officials and public employees avoid conflicts between public responsibilities and personal interests
3. Keep public employees from earning additional income after work
4. None of the above

12: Most State employees are permitted to

1. hold other employment or operate a private business
2. operate their private business during State work time
3. Accept unsolicited gifts from persons that want to do business with your agency
4. Charge travel expenses to your agency when doing work for and being paid by another State or private entity

13: The use of government funds to buy something for personal use, using the P-Card for example, is not a violation as long as the money is repaid in a timely fashion. Failure to repay promptly would make this a violation.

1. True
2. False

14: Most complaints that are found to have probable cause are resolved by means of a Conciliation Agreement with the Commission, thereby avoid the hearing stage of the process.

1. True
2. False

15: Ethics Act rules apply to temporary employees.

1. True
2. False

16: Using agency equipment for personal gain such as running a business is permissible with a waiver from the Commission.

1. True
2. False

17: Although public servants may not use their public positions, or the influence of their positions for their own private gain, they may assist a family member in obtaining private gain as long as they receive no personal financial reward.

1. True
2. False

18: Employees may solicit gifts for their agency only if they will be donated by the agency to a bona fide charitable organization.

1. True
2. False

19: Ordering excessive materials for an agency to enable you to take something for personal use is not a violation.

1. True
2. False

20: The Commission may initiate a complaint based on information it receives from any credible source. The complainant will be identified to the respondent only. The existence of the complaint may not be disclosed to anyone outside of the commission.

1. True
2. False