The Rockland County Board of Ethics will analyze and review, in a timely and equitable manner, complaints, inquiries and allegations relating to the violation and/or interpretation of the Rockland County Code of Ethics and render advisory opinions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Board of Ethics?
• What are the requirements for Board membership?
• Who are the current members of the Board?
• Are the Board's meetings open to the public?
• Who can report a violation of the Code of Ethics?
• How do I report a violation or inquiry to the Board of Ethics?
• Will my inquiry/report of violation be kept confidential?
• May County officers or employees accept gifts?
• What is a valuable gift?
• What is confidential information?
• What is a conflict of interest?
• May County officers and employees seek or accept private employment?
• Are their restrictions on future employment?
• What are the penalties for violating the Code of Ethics?
• Who must file Financial Disclosure Statements and/or No Conflicting Interest or Activity Affidavit?
• Which forms do I need to file?
• When do I need to file?
• Who are Considered Dependents?
• Do I need to file a Federal 1040 Tax return when I file my Financial Disclosure Statement "A" or "B"?
• What are the penalties for failing to file or filing a false Financial Disclosure Statement?

What is the Board of Ethics?

The Board of Ethics has the powers and duties prescribed by Article 18, Conflicts of Interest of Municipal Officers and Employees, of the New York General Municipal Law, and shall render advisory opinions to the officers and employees of the County of Rockland with respect to the County Code of Ethics and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.

What are the requirements for Board membership?

The Board consists of five members, appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Legislature, who reside in the County of Rockland and serve without compensation. The members serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.  The members are not elected or appointed officers or employees of the County of Rockland. The members of the Board shall elect one member to serve as Chairperson.  The Chairperson may convene meetings of the Board as needed to review matters presented to the Board.

Who are the current members of the Board?

The current members of the Board of Ethics are:
Ira Oustatcher, Chair
Edward Bialas
Carole Tjoa
Donald Kennedy
Vincent Frankel

Are the Board's meetings open to the public?

Yes, meetings are open to the public, although certain matters may be discussed in executive session.

Who can report a violation of the Code of Ethics?

Anyone can make an inquiry or report a violation.

How do I report a violation or inquiry to the Board of Ethics?

Inquiries and reports of violations can be mailed to the Board of Ethics, Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road, New City, N.Y. 10956 or e-mailed to the Confidential Secretary to the Board at ShermanJ@co.rockland.ny.us. 
The Board will review the inquiry and may request additional information through a written statement, in person interview, or telephone interview. The Board will render a decision and provide a written response.

Will my inquiry/report of violation be kept confidential?

Yes.  All inquiries and reports of violations are kept confidential by the Board.  The Board may publish its advisory opinions, but the names of the requesting persons and other identifying details are not included in the publications.

May County officers or employees accept gifts?

Rockland County officers and employee are not permitted to, directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or receive any valuable gifts, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or any other form, from any person, firm, or corporation which, to his knowledge, is interested, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, in doing business or dealing professionally with the County or any agency thereof.  Officers and employees shall not accept a gift of any kind, regardless of the value, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence, or could reasonably be expected to influence, in the performance of official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action.  Gifts include tips or gratuities for performing or not performing job functions.

What is a valuable gift?

The Code of Ethics defines a valuable gift as any gift having a value greater than $25.00.

What is confidential information and can county employees and officers disclose such information?

Confidential information is information acquired in the course of official duties or otherwise.  Employees and county officers shall not disclose such information or use such information to further personal interest or the interest of others. This requirement applies during the period of County affiliation and for a period of two years thereafter.

What is a conflict of interest?

County officers and employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall not:  (1) be or become interested, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, except by operation of law, in any business or professional dealings with the County or any agency thereof; (2) act as attorney, agent, broker, representative or employee for any person, firm or corporation interested, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, in business or professional dealings with the County or any agency thereof; and (3) accept other employment or engage in any business transactions or make any investments, directly or indirectly, which create a conflict with official duties.

May county officers and employees seek or accept private employment?

Employees and county officers shall not engage in, solicit, negotiate for, or promise to accept private employment or render services for private interests when such employment or service creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of official duties.

Are there any restrictions on future employment?

No person who has served as an officer or employee of the County of Rockland shall, within a period of two years after the termination of such service or employment, appear before any board or agency of the County or receive compensation for any services rendered on behalf of any person, firm, corporation or association in relation to any case, proceeding or application with respect to which such person was directly concerned or in which he personally participated during the period of his service or employment or which was under his active consideration.

What are the penalties for violating the County's Code of Conduct?

A violation of the Code of Conduct may constitute cause for fine, suspension or removal from office or employment and may also constitute a Class B misdemeanor.

Who must file a Financial Disclosure Statement and/or No Conflicting Interest or Activity Affidavit?

According to §66-10(A) of the Code of Ethics, the following individuals must file a Financial Disclosure Statement (either Form A or B) and/or a No Conflicting Interest or Activity Affidavit:

• certain County officers and employees;
• political party officials and candidates for elected office in the County;
• certain employees of Rockland Community College;
• persons serving on County boards and commissions;
• certain officers and employees of local public authorities.

Which forms do I need to file?

COUNTY AFFILIATION	REQUIRED FORMS
ROCKLAND COUNTY EMPLOYEES (see intranet for filing instructions)	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "A" and NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT
POLITICAL CANDIDATES:	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "A" and NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT
ROCKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Trustee President Executive Vice President VP of Academic Affairs VP for Planning & Technology VP of Student Development Director of Human Resources Director of Campus Communications Associate VP of Finance/Comptroller Dean of Enrollment Management Dean of Academic Services Dean of the Center for Personal & Professional Development Dean of Student Development Asst Director of Plant Facilities	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "A" and NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT
BOARD CHAIRPERSONS Only of: Agricultural & Farm Protection Board Arts in Public Places Board of Electrical Examiners Board of Governors RC Board of Health RC Community Services Board RC Political Party Chairpersons Disability Advisory Council Environmental Management Council Fair Housing Board Fire Advisory Board Historic Preservation Board Home Improvement Licensing Board Human Rights Commission Local Emergency Planning Committee Office for the Aging Advisory Board Parks Commission Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Examiners Planning Board RC Board of Appeals - Stream Control RC Conditional Release Commission RC Rent Guidelines Board RC Soil & Water Conservation District Traffic Safety Board Youth Bureau	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "B" and NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS CHAIRPERSONS & MEMBERS of: Board of Ethics RC Workers Compensation Board Self-Insurance Plan Sewer Commission	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "B" and NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS MEMBERS only of: Agricultural & Farm Protection Board Arts in Public Places Board of Electrical Examiners Board of Governors RC Board of Health RC Community Services Board RC Political Party Chairpersons Disability Advisory Council Environmental Management Council Fair Housing Board Fire Advisory Board Historic Preservation Board Home Improvement Licensing Board Human Rights Commission Local Emergency Planning Committee Office for the Aging Advisory Board Parks Commission Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Examiners Planning Board RC Board of Appeals - Stream Control RC Conditional Release Commission RC Rent Guidelines Board RC Soil & Water Conservation District Traffic Safety Board Youth Bureau	NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES of: RC Industrial Development Agency RC Solid Waste Mgmt Auth & Officers Rockland Tobacco Rockland 2nd Tobacco Spring Valley Urban Renewal Agency Village of Suffern Parking Authority	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "B"
POLITICAL CANDIDATES:	FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM "A" and NO CONFLICTING INTEREST OR ACTIVITY AFFIDAVIT

 

When do I need to file?

All documents must be submitted annually, no later than May 15th, with respect to the preceding calendar year.

Who are considered dependents for purposes of the Financial Disclosure Statement?

Any of the following individuals, over half of whose support, for the calendar year in which the taxable year of the reporting individual begins, was received from the reporting individual (or is treated under Section 152 of Title 26 of the United States Code as received from the reporting individual):

1. A descendant of an unemancipated child;
2. A brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister;
3. The father or mother of the reporting individual or an ancestor of either;
4. A stepfather or stepmother of the reporting individual;
5. A son or daughter of a brother or sister of the reporting individual;
6. A brother or sister of the father or mother of the reporting individual;
7. A son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the reporting individual; or
8. An individual (other than an individual who at any time during the reporting individual's taxable year was the spouse of the reporting individual) who, for the taxable year of the reporting individual, has as a principal place of abode the home of the reporting individual and is a member of the reporting individual's household.

Do I need to include a Federal 1040 Tax return when I file my Financial Disclosure Form "A" or "B"?

No, the Code of Ethics no longer requires that you attach a copy of your federal tax return with your annual filing.

What are the penalties for failing to file or filing a false Financial Disclosure Statement and/or No Conflicting Interest or Activity Affidavit?

A reporting individual who knowingly and willfully fails to file a Financial Disclosure Statement or who, knowingly and willfully with intent to deceive, makes a false statement or gives information which such individual knows to be false on such statement shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 and may also be convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, after referral to the District Attorney's Office.  Anyone who refuses to file a No Conflicting Interest or Activity Affidavit shall be ineligible for appointment to any County board, commission, committee or similar entity.  And, if the person is presently appointed to any County board, commission or committee or is employed by the County, such person's appointment may become void.