(A) All complaints alleging any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be submitted to the Ethics Commission. All complaints shall be in writing, signed by the complainant, and shall meet any other requirements established by the Commission. The Commission shall, within a reasonable time, acknowledge receipt of a complaint to the complainant and forward a copy of the complaint to any officer or employee who is the subject of the complaint.
(B) Within 30 days of the receipt of the complaint, the Commission shall conduct a preliminary inquiry. The Commission shall afford a person who is the subject of the complaint an opportunity to respond. The person shall have the right to be represented by counsel, to appear and be heard under oath, and to offer evidence in response to the allegations.
(C) The Commission shall make a determination based on its preliminary inquiry whether the complaint is within its jurisdiction and, if so, whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the officer or employee has violated this chapter. If the Commission finds that the complaint is outside its jurisdiction, frivolous or without factual basis, the Commission shall immediately terminate the inquiry, reduce the conclusion to writing, and transmit a copy of its decision to the complainant and to all officers or employees against whom the complaint was filed.
(D) If the Commission concludes, based upon its preliminary inquiry, that the complaint is within its jurisdiction and there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation occurred, the Commission shall notify the officer or employee who is the subject of this complaint and shall initiate a hearing to determine whether there has been a violation.