Welcome to the State Ethics Commission

Karen L. Nober, Executive Director

Welcome to the Ethics Commission website. The Ethics Commission administers and enforces the provisions of the state’s conflict of interest law and financial disclosure law.  The Commission's Legal Division provides free, confidential advice about the conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws.  Our goal is to promote public confidence in government by providing the education and guidance public employees need to understand and comply with these laws, and by enforcing the laws vigorously and fairly.

The conflict of interest law applies to state, county and municipal employees.  In addition, if you provide services to the state or to a county or municipal government, you may be subject to the conflict of interest law.  The conflict of interest law addresses circumstances where public employees’ private business, family or other interests conflict with their public responsibilities.  The financial disclosure law requires elected state and county officials and state employees in “major policy-making positions” to annually disclose their private financial interests on forms submitted to the Commission.

Information about the Commission, including the services provided by our four divisions, and information about the conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws is available on our homepage.  I encourage you to explore our website and to call the Commission at 617-371-9500 if we can be of service to you.  My staff is available to assist you with the following:

• Obtaining advice;
• Filing a complaint;
• Filing your statement of financial interests;
• Scheduling a public education seminar; or
• Answering general questions about the conflict of interest law and financial disclosure law.

Thank you for visiting the website and for your interest in the work of the Commission.  Please call us and let us know how we can assist you.