Filing a Complaint

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Integrity, Confidentiality, Non-Discriminatory

The Ethics Code of Allegheny County(PDF, 168KB) emphasizes that county officials and employees must always act in the public interest and not serve their own personal interests or gain. This is the overall thrust of the Ethics Code.  

Among other things, employees must act with integrity, respect confidentiality, not discriminate, treat every group the same as any other, not solicit gifts, not use county mail for personal reasons, and disclose their financial interests.

In order to encourage citizens and employees, the Ethics Code protects whistleblowers and maintains confidentiality in its proceedings until and unless a final order is issued.

Ethics Code Violations

If you believe that there has been a violation of the Ethics Code, submit a complaint to the ACE Commission.

ACE Commission Complaint Procedure

  1. Review the Ethics Code above to determine if it applies. The Ethics Code protects whistleblowers, and maintains confidentiality in its proceedings until and unless a final order is issued.

  2. Complete a Complaint Form(PDF, 63KB) if you believe that there has been a violation of the Ethics Code. 

  3. Mail the original complaint form to: 
       Office of the County Manager

       Attention: ACE Commission Staff
       119 Courthouse
       436 Grant Street
       Pittsburgh PA 15219

  4. Mail a copy of the complaint form to
       Chairperson, ACE Commission
        119 Courthouse
       436 Grant Street
       Pittsburgh PA 15219

  5. If the ACE Commission determines it has jurisdiction, it will investigate the matter.  If there is a finding of wrongdoing, the ACE Commission can recommend penalties to County Council. Penalties range from a written admonition through suspension and/or dismissal.

 

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