{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-1-1162.13","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 1-1162.13","heading":"Formal investigation.","body":"(a)\nA formal investigation shall be initiated upon:\n(1)\nReceipt of a written complaint transmitted to the Board;\n(2)\nA finding by the Office of the Inspector General or District of Columbia Auditor of waste, fraud, abuse of government resources, or a violation of the Code of Conduct; or\n(3)\nA finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of liability in a civil proceeding, indictment, or information in a criminal proceeding with respect to acts or offenses that may constitute violations of the Code of Conduct or of this subchapter.\n\n(b)\nA written complaint shall include:\n(1)\nThe full name and address of the complainant and the respondent;\n(2)\nA clear and concise statement of facts that are alleged to constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct or of this subchapter;\n(3)\nThe complainant’s signature;\n(4)\nA verification of the complaint under oath; and\n(5)\nSupporting documentation, if any.\n\n(c)\nNo complaint may be made under this subchapter later than 5 years after the discovery of the alleged violation.\n\n(d)\nAn individual making a complaint shall be afforded all available protections from adverse employment action or retaliation in accordance with Chapter 6 of  this title and subchapter XII of Chapter 2 of Title 2 [§ 2-223.01 et seq.].\n\n(e)\nWithin 30 business days of the initiation of a formal investigation, the Director of Government Ethics shall cause evidence concerning the complaint to be presented to the Board, with the potential for a 15-business-day extension to be granted by the Board. If the Board decides that there is reasonable belief that a violation has occurred, the Board may authorize the issuance of subpoenas.","path":["Title 1. Government Organization.","Chapter 11A. Ethics and Government Accountability.","Subchapter II. Ethics Act.","Part B. Director of Government Ethics."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/1-1162.13","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"245a35b7665fa5bc4ce191df326bdfe8e09a0b914c7e2e738e441e87efb5916d","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-1-1162.12","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-1-1162.14"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}