Public Ethics
FY 2021-23 Adopted Policy Budget
Who we are and what we do
Business Goals
Lead/Collaborate – Facilitate City policy, management, and technological changes to create an ethical culture and build public trust in the City.
Educate/Engage – Provide education, advice, technical assistance, and formal legal opinions in consultation with the City Attorney’s office to ensure that all public servants, candidates for office, lobbyists, City contractors, and interested members of the public are aware of and understand the campaign finance, ethics, and transparency laws that apply to them.
Disclose/Illuminate – Ensure accurate, effective, and accessible disclosure of government integrity data such as campaign finance reporting, conflicts of interest/gifts reports, and lobbyist activities, all of which help the public and PEC staff monitor filings, view information, and detect inconsistencies or noncompliance.
Detect/Deter – Conduct investigations and audits to monitor compliance with the laws within the Commission’s jurisdiction.
Prosecute – Impose administrative penalties and fines for violations of the laws within the PEC’s jurisdiction.
Citizen Board with Independent Legal Authority
The Public Ethics Commission (PEC) is a seven-member board of Oakland residents who provide policy direction to Commission staff and serve as a quasi-judicial board that evaluates allegations of legal violations. The Commission was created by City Charter in 1996 (Section 202) and amended in November 2014 to strengthen the Commission’s independence and staffing (Section 603).
The PEC oversees compliance with the following laws and policies:
• Oakland Government Ethics Act
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
SERVICE INVENTORY
External Services
Ethics Education, Advice and Outreach - Community
Ensure that Oakland candidates for office, lobbyists, City contractors, and community members understand and comply with City campaign finance, ethics, and transparency laws.
Data Disclosure and Compliance
Collect state-required filings of local campaign data, assist filers, ensure citizen access, and develop and manage disclosure systems.
Limited Public Financing Program
Implement the City's system of providing public funds for candidates running for City Council district office.
Investigations
Conduct investigations of incoming complaints and PEC-initiated allegations of violations of ethics, campaign finance, and transparency laws.
Enforcement
Administrative prosecution of ethics and campaign finance violations resulting in Commission penalties.
Mediation Program
Assist members of the public in accessing public records through mediation as required by the Oakland Sunshine Ordinance.
Internal Services
Legal, Policy, and Leadership
Assess and recommend changes in City policies, laws, systems, and technology to improve ethics compliance, equity in campaign engagement, and innovation.
Ethics Education, Advice and Outreach - City Employees
Ensure that Oakland public servants understand and comply with City campaign finance, ethics, and transparency laws.