Ohio Ethics Law
Topics
Topics
Representation
Ohio’s Representation law prohibits public officials or employees from representing others before public agencies on matters in which they personally participated.
“Representation” means communicating with (or helping someone communicate with) a public agency on behalf of another person or organization.
This includes any form of communication, formal or informal, such as meetings, calls, emails, or texts. It also includes behind-the-scenes work, like preparing documents or plans to be submitted to a public agency, even if someone else submits them.
Other provisions of the Ethics Law, including R.C. 102.04, place additional restrictions on representing others, especially when compensation is involved.
If a public official or employee was involved in a matter in any way, they may not represent someone on that same matter – even after leaving public service!