The King County Employee Code of Ethics (KCC 3.04) states "that the private conduct and financial dealings of [county employees]...shall present no actual or apparent conflict of interest between the public trust and private interest."

Complaints about a potential violation of the Code of Ethics are made to the Ombuds. We review each complaint to determine whether it meets minimum requirements to be investigated. We may decline to investigate a complaint that does not meet requirements or that is unfounded. If we select a complaint for investigation, we will share a copy of the complaint with the agency and/or person accused of the ethics violation and request their response.

People accused of ethics violations have due process rights, such as the right to be represented by their union or a lawyer and the right to present witnesses and evidence. At the end of our investigation, we make a written finding of whether there is reasonable cause to believe the person committed an ethics violation. People may appeal our findings to the Board of Ethics.

Please contact us with any questions concerning the ethics code and ethics complaint process. 

• Read the King County Employee "Ethics Code" (KCC 3.04) [.pdf]
• Download a PDF of "Guidelines for Filing an Ethics Complaint" [.pdf]
  
• Download a PDF of an "Ethics Complaint Form" [.pdf]
  

Alternate formats for persons with disabilities available upon request.