KRS 11A.080: Investigation of complaints -- Procedures -- Findings -- Resolution.

(1) (a) Upon a complaint signed under penalty of perjury by any person, or upon its

own motion, the commission shall conduct a preliminary investigation of any

alleged violation of this chapter.

(b) The preliminary investigation shall begin not later than ten (10) days after the

next commission meeting following the receipt of the sworn complaint, or, if

the investigation is initiated by the commission's own motion, not later than

ten (10) days after the date of the adoption of the motion.

(c) Within ten (1 0) days of the commencement of the preliminary investigation,

the commission shall forward a copy of the complaint, if one has been filed, or

a statement of possible violations being investigated, and a general statement

of the applicable law to the person alleged to have committed a violation.

(d) For each complaint filed by a person other than the commission or a member

of the commission, the commission shall make a finding as to whether the

complaint is:

1. Well-grounded in fact;

2. Warranted by existing law; and

3. Filed for a good -faith argument or reason and not for any improper

purpose, such as for political advantage, to harass or embarrass a person

or persons, to cause delays, or to increase the costs of adjudicating a case

before the commission.

(2) All commission proceedings and records relating to a preliminary investigation

shall be confidential until a final determination is made by the commission, except:

(a) The commission may turn over to the Attorney General, the United States

Attorney, or t he Commonwealth's attorney of the jurisdiction in which the

offense allegedly occurred, evidence which may be used in criminal

proceedings or, at its discretion, may at any time turn over to the Personnel

Board, the Auditor of Public Accounts, or any other agency with jurisdiction

to review, audit, or investigate the alleged offense, evidence which may be

used by those agencies for investigative purposes;

(b) If the alleged violator publicly discloses the existence of a preliminary

investigation, the commis sion may publicly confirm the existence of the

inquiry and, in its discretion, make public any documents which were issued

to either party;

(c) If the matter being investigated was referred to the commission from another

state agency, the commission may in form the referring state agency of the

status of any preliminary investigation and of any action taken on the matter.

(3) If the commission determines in the preliminary investigation that the facts are not

sufficient to constitute a violation of this chapter, the commission shall immediately

terminate the investigation and notify in writing the complainant, if any, and the

person alleged to have committed a violation. The commission may confidentially

inform the alleged violator of potential violations and provide information to ensure

future compliance with the law. If the alleged violator publicly discloses the

existence of such action by the commission, the commission may confirm the

existence of the resolution and, in its discretion, make public any documents which

were issued to the alleged violator.

(4) If the commission, during the course of the preliminary investigation, finds probable

cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the commission may,

upon majority vote:

(a) Due to mitigating circumstances such as lack of significant economic

advantage or gain by the alleged violator, lack of significan t economic loss to

the state, or lack of significant impact on public confidence in government, in

writing, confidentially reprimand the alleged violator for potential violations

of the law and provide a copy of the reprimand to the alleged violator's

appointing authority, if any. If the alleged violator publicly discloses the

existence of such an action, the commission may confirm the existence of the

action and, in its discretion, make public any documents which were issued to

the alleged violator; or

(b) Initiate an administrative proceeding to determine whether there has been a

violation.

(5) If the commission determines that a violation of this chapter has occurred in a case

involving a contract with state government, the secretary of the Finance and

Administration Cabinet may void any contract related to that case.

(6) If the commission determines that a violation of the provisions of KRS 11A.001 to

11A.130 has occurred, an employer of a former officer or public servant may be

subject to a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense.