(A) The Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure and the Kentucky Rules of Evidence shall not apply to hearings conducted by the Board of Ethics; however, the hearings shall be conducted in accordance with this section and in accordance with any additional rules and regulations adopted by the board so as to afford all parties before the board the full range of due process rights required by the nature of the proceedings.
(B) Prior to the commencement of the hearing, the alleged violator, or his or her representative, shall have a reasonable opportunity to examine all documents and records obtained or prepared by the board in connection with the matter to be heard. The board shall inform the alleged violator, or his or her representative, of any exculpatory evidence in its possession.
(C) All testimony in a Board hearing shall be taken under oath, administered by the presiding officer. All parties shall have the right to call and examine witnesses, to introduce exhibits, to cross-examine witnesses, to submit evidence, and to be represented by counsel. All witnesses shall have the right to be represented by counsel.
(D) Any person whose name is mentioned during the hearing and who may be adversely affected thereby may appear personally before the board, with or without counsel, to give a statement regarding the adverse mention, or may file a written statement regarding the adverse mention for incorporation into the record of the proceeding.
(E) All hearings of the Board of Ethics shall be public, unless the members vote to go into executive session in accordance with KRS 61.810 or any other applicable law, rule or regulation governing the conduct of public meetings and hearings.
(F) After the conclusion of the hearing, the Board of Ethics shall, as soon as practicable, begin deliberations in closed session for the purpose of reviewing the evidence before it and making a determination as to whether a violation of this chapter has been proven by clear and convincing proof. Within thirty (30) days after completion of the hearing, the board shall issue a written report of its findings and conclusions.
(G) If the board concludes in its report that no violation of this chapter has occurred, it shall immediately send written notice of this determination to the public servant who was the subject of the complaint, to the party who filed the complaint and to the applicable legislative body.
(H) If the Board concludes in its report that in consideration of the evidence produced at the hearing, there is "clear and convincing proof" of a violation of this chapter, the board may:
(1) Issue an order requiring the violator to cease and desist the violation; and/or
(2) In writing, publicly reprimand the violator for the violations and provide a copy of the reprimand to the applicable legislative body of the participant with which the violator serves; and/or
(3) In writing, recommend to the applicable legislative body that the violator be sanctioned as recommended by the board, which may include a recommendation for discipline or dismissal, or removal from office; and/or
(4) Issue an order requiring the violator to pay a civil penalty of not more than $1,000; and/or
(5) Refer the evidence of what reasonable appear to be criminal violations of this chapter or state laws to the county attorney or commonwealth's attorney of Henderson County for prosecution. (Ord. 94-6, passed 12-15-94)