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Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Ind. Gov't. - Judge heads ethics commission staff

The Indianapolis Star website is reporting this afternoon, in a story headlined "Judge to head ethics commission":

Mary Lee Comer has been named executive director of the Indiana State Ethics Commission, Gov. Mitch Daniels announced today [Comer started her position on April 11].

Comer served 18 years as a Hendricks Superior Court judge and four years as a State of Indiana senior judge. She'll oversee training, advising and enforcing ethics laws for state employees. Daniels established new ethics rules in January when he signed Executive Order 05-12, and other ethics provisions are outlined in SB 18, which passed unanimously in the House and is awaiting conference committee action.

Comer will report to the state's new Inspector General, who is responsible for pursuing fraud, waste and abuse in state government.

"Through upgraded leadership from Judge Comer, and a watchdog with teeth in the Inspector General, we are creating a culture that encourages state employees to seek advice and report wrongdoing, as well as an understanding that rules will be enforced and unethical behavior is unacceptable," said Daniels in a prepared statement. "Judge Comer is another outstanding Hoosier who is willing to sacrifice to join our new crew and its program of reform."

Since 2001, Comer has been a senior judge for the state assigned to eight courts in Central Indiana. She also has taught ethics courses to members of the judiciary in Indiana and Tennessee.

Here is the link to the Indiana State Ethics Commission commissioners and staff page. As of today, it shows David Thomas as director, "responsible for overseeing all agency administrative, legislative and legal activity, plus the supervision of staff." There are four other employees listed. The Commission itself has five members.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 13, 2005 04:22 PM
Posted to Indiana Government