The board that investigates ethics complaints against Prince George’s County’s officials did not meet at all last year, even as the FBI ramped up a widespread corruption probe. Since no complaints were filed in 2010 against county officials with the five-member Board of Ethics, no meeting was needed, said Anne C. Magner, a lawyer in the County Attorney’s office that assists the panel. Former County Executive Jack Johnson on Monday was indicted on eight corruption-related charges resulting from a years-long FBI probe. Officials say more arrests are expected.
During a hearing Tuesday in front of the County Council about the county’s oversight bodies, Magner said the board, whose members are appointed by the county executive, cannot initiate investigations and can only respond to complaints.
Magner said that while complaints have been filed in recent years, she cannot remember the board ever investigating a county official. Most complaints don’t fall under the board’s jurisdiction, she said.
“I’ve never received one I can remember that I sent to the board,” she said, adding most are about local officials or police officers whom the board has no authority over. In 2009, for example, one complaint — against a county police officer — was filed, according to documents provided to the council.
The board has no budget, the members are not paid and there is no full-time staff. The board is supposed to give advice to county officials and employees, as well as conduct educational programs about the county’s code of ethics, though Magner admitted she can’t remember that happening in recent years.
David H. Van Dyke, the county’s auditor, said on Tuesday that his office usually is working on five to 10 audits at a time. But District 3 Councilman Eric Olson expressed concern that neither the Office of Audits and Investigations nor the Board of Ethics has anonymous phone hot lines for tips.
“I think that might be worthwhile and would probably be a low-cost thing to do,” Olson said.
County Executive Rushern Baker has convened a task force to review the county’s existing oversight structure and make recommendations for whether an inspector general or other oversight agency should be created.
