The Erie County Legislature unanimously approved a local law at the Oct. 22, 2015 session that amends and improves the Erie County Code of Ethics. The amendments now ensure that every elected official will fill out the ethics disclosure form for any year, or part of year, they spent in office, regardless if they still hold office at the time the form is due to be submitted.

Prior to this recent change, if a county elected official left office prior to the set deadline, they would not be required to submit the form. With this amendment, if the elected official serves for any length of time during the year, they must submit a completed form. This rule also applies to certain employees, who are already required to complete forms, to do so if they leave their position.

“Like too many laws, Erie County's Ethics Law has loopholes.  The action we are taking today closes a huge one, as disclosure provisions will now clearly apply to former employees for the period in which they worked for the county.  Citizens of Erie County want more transparency in government and we are giving it to them,” said Legislator Kevin Hardwick.

The changes also included an amendment explicitly stating that the District Attorney is responsible for prosecuting claims of ethics violations.

“This is simple, common sense ethics reform that increases transparency, and keeps everyone who is given the privilege to serve in county government accountable. Anything we can do to improve the ethics code is a benefit,” added Majority Leader Joseph Lorigo.

The recommendations were made by the Erie County Ethics Board and approved by the Legislature.