ETHICS REFORM IN VIRGINIA

THE AMAZING ETHICS TEAM

OKPIL KIM - DSS JEFF PAINTER, ABC ERIC SANDRIDGE, APA KENDRA SHIFFLETT - VDACS ZETA WADE, VITA

CREATING A CULTURE OF ETHICS

Change public perception Teach and reinforce ethical values Develop a policy statement that provides the latitude to promote

economic development

PERCEPTION

PERCEPTION Public Perception of Government and Elected officials in 2014

Improve awareness of current reform efforts and administration’s

efforts Gift acceptance limitations

Disclosure requirements

Commission to Ensure Integrity and Public Confidence in State Government

Transparency

Short Term Solutions “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” – Potter Stewart

Short term solutions are relatively quick, easy, and cost effective. Foster a culture of ethical behavior – upholding higher standards of conduct

than simply adhering to the rules or the law

Ethical Culture: Ethical behavior needs to be promoted from the top and supported from the

bottom. Includes Code of Ethics, Education and Training, and Defined Process for

Reviewing Violations. Policies should enable employees to make ethical decisions. (Source: International Economic Development Council)

Strategy 1: Establish a Code of Ethics – Aspirational statement Strategy 2: Ethics Education - Mandatory (annual on-line training), explains the underlying ethical

principles and clarifies ethical behavior. - Explains the difference between ethical behavior and illegal

actions. - Presents practical ways of carrying out procedural guidelines. Strategy 3: Performance Assessment – add statement of ethics

values to Employee Work Profiles, component of audit and reviews

Short Term Solutions

LONG TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Establish a Virginia Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Conflict of interest and ethics

Establish procedures for financial disclosure reports

Consult with agency ethic officials

Promote an ethical culture

Enforcement of ethical behavior

THE NEW UNIFORM GRANT GUIDANCE (2 CFR 200)

The Grant Reform (effective 12/26/14) Conflict of Interest Policies (200.112) Internal Controls (GAO Green Book)

Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Values

CONCLUSION

ETHIC POLICY STATEMENT

Establish the Commonwealth of Virginia as a leader in ethical government practices by prioritizing and promoting a culture of ethical behavior by state agencies, employees, and elected officials while continuing to effectively serve the citizens of the Commonwealth.

OKPIL SAYING 3 R’S

RIGHT THING RIGHT TIME RIGHT WAY

QUESTIONS