The Director of Government Ethics, approved by the Board, shall have the power to:
(1) Require any person to submit, within a reasonable period and under oath or otherwise as the Director of Government Ethics may determine, written reports and answers to questions that the Director of Government Ethics may propound relating to the administration and enforcement of this subchapter;
(2) Administer oaths;
(3) Require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all documentary evidence relating to the execution of the Board’s duties; provided, that subpoenas issued under this paragraph shall be issued by the Director of Government Ethics only upon approval of a majority of the Board and served either personally or by certified or registered mail;
(4) Order testimony to be taken by deposition in a proceeding or investigation before any person who is designated by the Director of Government Ethics and has the power to administer oaths and, in such instances, to compel testimony and the production of evidence in the same manner as authorized under this section;
(5) Pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in like circumstances in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia;
(6) Institute or conduct, on the Director of Government Ethics’ own motion, a preliminary investigation into alleged violations of the Code of Conduct or other violations of this subchapter;
(7) Retain, on a temporary basis, consultants, including attorneys or others, on a pro bono basis, as necessary to administer and enforce this subchapter; and
(8) Require any person to submit through an electronic format or medium a report required pursuant to this subchapter.
(Apr. 27, 2012, D.C. Law 19-124, § 211, 59 DCR 1862; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1083(m), 65 DCR 9388.)
This section is referenced in § 1-1162.18.
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1083(m) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1083(m) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 1 - Government Organization
Chapter 11A - Ethics and Government Accountability
Part B - Director of Government Ethics
§ 1–1162.11. Powers of the Director of Government Ethics
§ 1–1162.12. Preliminary investigations
§ 1–1162.13. Formal investigation
§ 1–1162.16. Dismissal of meritless claim, complaint, or request for investigation
§ 1–1162.18. Enforcement of subpoena