Section 15-403 - Retention by Ethics Commission. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-403. Retention by Ethics Commission.
 

(a)  Evidence.- As to a complaint retained by the Ethics Commission under § 15-402(b) of this subtitle, the staff counsel shall collect and refer to the Ethics Commission evidence relating to each violation of this title alleged in the complaint. 

(b)  Opportunity to cure.-  

(1) Prior to submitting the evidence to the Ethics Commission, the staff counsel shall notify the complainant and the respondent. 

(2) The Commission shall dismiss the complaint in a signed order if: 

(i) the respondent, within 15 days after receiving the notice, takes any action that may be available to cure each alleged violation; and 

(ii) it finds that dismissal is not contrary to the purposes of this title. 

(3) If the complaint is dismissed under this subsection, the Ethics Commission shall promptly send a copy of the order to the complainant and the respondent. 

(c)  Dismissal after preliminary review.- If the Ethics Commission determines that the evidence submitted by the staff counsel does not merit further proceedings, the Ethics Commission shall: 

(1) dismiss the complaint in a signed order; and 

(2) promptly send a copy of the order to the complainant and the respondent. 

(d)  Further proceedings.- If a complaint is not dismissed under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the Ethics Commission shall proceed to a hearing on the complaint. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 40A, § 2-105; 1995, ch. 533, § 2; ch. 539, § 1; 2001, ch. 631, § 2.]