Conflict of Interest and Online Training (TEST)
Conflict of Interest and Disclosure
The mission of the State Ethics Commission is to foster integrity in public service in state, county and local government, to promote the public’s trust and confidence in that service, and to prevent conflicts between private interests and public duties.
The conflict of interest law applies to state, county, municipal employees and committee members. In addition, if you provide services to the state or to a county or municipal government, you may be subject to the conflict of interest law. The conflict of interest law addresses circumstances where public employees’ private business, family or other interests conflict with their public responsibilities. The financial disclosure law requires elected state and county officials and state and county employees in “major policy-making positions” to annually disclose their private financial interests on forms submitted to the Commission.
Mandatory Online State Ethics Test
Every two years, all current municipal employees and committee members must complete online training. New public employees and committee members must complete this training within 30 days of beginning public service, and every two (2) years thereafter. Upon completing the program, employees should print out the completion certificate and keep a copy for themselves and are required to provide a copy of the completion certificate to the Town Clerk's Office.
The Town Clerk’s Office is required to maintain the receipts, as a public record, for seven (7) years. The training can be found by clicking on the link below.
Every employee and committee member is required to sign and return to the Town Clerk’s Office a written acknowledgment that he has been provided with the summary. All employees must provide the Town Clerk’s Office with an acknowledgment of receipt for both: 1) the Summary of Conflict of Interest Law (Conflict of Interest Acknowledgment form) and 2) online completion certificate for the web-based training.
Please Note: When done with your online training please PRINT the certificate of completion and forward to the Town Clerk's Office.
Click here: Link to On-Line Training Test
Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees - see attachment below
Conflict of Interest Acknowledgment Form- see attachment below
Please make sure your audio is enabled either through a headset or speakers and your pop-up blockers are disabled. It is suggested that you do not use Google Chrome to run this online training program. Instead, web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari are suggested. Should you or your employees have any difficulty, please contact me, Lillian Drane, by phone at (508) 946-8800 or by email at ldrane@lakevillema.org .
Penalty (Willful refusal to comply)
In accordance with chapter 268A, if the Ethics Commission determines that the conflict of interest law has been violated, it can impose a civil penalty up to $10,000 ($25,000 for bribery cases) for each violation. In addition, the Commission can order the violator to repay any economic advantage he/she gained by the violation, and to make restitution to injured third parties. Violations of the conflict of interest law can also be prosecuted criminally.
Disclosure Forms
If you feel that you may have a conflict of interest while serving on a Town committee you may wish to file a disclosure form. Reasons to file one include, you have a personal or financial interest which somehow may relate to your job, your family or committee. There are several forms available depending on what you situation requires. If you are not sure you need to file one or are unsure as to what form to use contact the State Ethics Commission at (617) 371-9500 directly so they can advise you.
Click here for Disclosure forms
Filing a Complaint
If you believe that a state, county or municipal employee has violated the conflict of interest or financial disclosure law, you can file a complaint with the Commission's Enforcement Division.
Helpful Links:
State Ethics Commission Website has information regarding Laws, Regulations and Forms. There are Educational and Training Resources available for Municipal Employees, Committee Members and Volunteers. Advisory Opinions, Request Advice, and Rulings are also on their website.
