Taking part
ethics complaint
A formal allegation that an official violated conduct rules, filed with the body that oversees them: a chamber ethics committee, an inspector general, or a state commission.
In full
In the House, the independent Office of Congressional Ethics reviews complaints and may refer them to the Ethics Committee, which alone can sanction. Executive branch complaints go to an inspector general or the Office of Government Ethics. Most states have their own ethics commissions with jurisdiction over state and sometimes local officials.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.