(a) No public official shall knowingly do any of the following:
(1) Authorize or employ the authority of his or her office to secure authorization of any public contract in which he, she, a member of his or her family, or any of his or her business associates has an interest.
(2) Authorize or employ the authority or influence of his or her office to secure the investment of public funds in any share, bond, mortgage, or other security with respect to which he, she, a member of his or her family, or any of his or her business associates either has an interest, is an underwriter, or receives any brokerage, origination, or servicing fees.
(3) During his or her term of office or within one year thereafter, occupy any position of profit in the prosecution of a public contract authorized by him or her or by a legislative body, commission, or board of which he or she was a member at the time of authorization, unless the contract was let by competitive bidding to the lowest and best bidder.
(4) Have an interest in the profits or benefits of a public contract entered into by or for the use of the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality with which he or she is connected.
(5) Have an interest in the profits or benefits of a public contract that is not let by competitive bidding when required by law, and that involves more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
(b) In the absence of bribery or a purpose to defraud, a public official, member of his or her family, or any of his or her business associates shall not be considered as having an interest in a public contract or the investment of public funds, if all of the following apply:
(1) The interest of that person is limited to owning or controlling shares of the corporation, or being a creditor of the corporation or other organization, that is the contractor on the public contract involved, or that is the issuer of the security in which public funds are invested.
(2) The shares owned or controlled by that person do not exceed 5% of the outstanding shares of the corporation, and the amount due that person as creditor does not exceed 5% of the total indebtedness of the corporation or other organization.
(3) That person, prior to the time the public contract is entered into, files with the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality involved, an affidavit giving his or her exact status in connection with the corporation or other organization.
(c) This section does not apply to a public contract in which a public official, member of his or her family, or one of his or her business associates has an interest, when all of the following apply:
(1) The subject of the public contract is necessary supplies or services for the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality involved.
(2) The supplies or services are unobtainable elsewhere for the same or lower cost, or are being furnished to the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality as part of a continuing course of dealing established prior to the public official's becoming associated with the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality involved.
(3) The treatment accorded the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality is either preferential to or the same as that accorded other customers or clients in similar transactions.
(4) The entire transaction is conducted at arm's length, with full knowledge by the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality involved, of the interest of the public official, member of his or her family, or business associate, and the public official takes no part in the deliberations or decision of the political subdivision or governmental agency or instrumentality with respect to the public contract.
(d) Division (a)(4) of this section does not prohibit participation by a public employee in any housing program funded by public monies if the public employee otherwise qualifies for the program and does not use the authority or influence of his or her office or employment to secure benefits from the program and if the monies are to be used on the primary residence of the public employee. Such participation does not constitute an unlawful interest in a public contract in violation of this section.
(e) Whoever violates this section is guilty of having an unlawful interest in a public contract. Violation of division (a)(1) or (2) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law. Violation of division (a)(3), (4), or (5) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(f) It is not a violation of this section for a prosecuting attorney to appoint assistants and employees in accordance with Ohio R.C. 309.06 and 2921.421, or for a chief legal officer of a municipality or an official designated as prosecutor in a municipality to appoint assistants and employees in accordance with Ohio R.C. 733.621 and 2921.421, or for a township law director appointed under Ohio R.C. 504.15 to appoint assistants and employees in accordance with Ohio R.C. 504.151 and 2921.421.
(g) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) "Chief legal officer" has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 733.621.
(2) "Public contract" means any of the following:
A. The purchase or acquisition, or a contract for the purchase or acquisition, of property or services by or for the use of the State or any of its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of either, including the employment of an individual by the State, any of its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of either.
B. A contract for the design, construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance of any public property.
(ORC 2921.42)