Oakland Public Ethics Commission

The Public Ethics Commission was created in 1996 with the goal of ensuring fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in City government.

The Public Ethics Commission is an independent commission made up of Oakland residents and charged with ensuring fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in Oakland City government. Our objective is to make sure Oakland public officials and government decision-making processes operate in a fair and unbiased manner, to promote transparency in Oakland government, and to promote public trust in our local political system. The Commission's duties include ensuring compliance with the City of Oakland's government ethics, campaign finance, transparency, and lobbyist registration laws The Commission administers compliance programs, educates citizens and City staff on ethics-related issues, and works with City staff to ensure policies are in place and are being followed. The Commission also conducts investigations, audits and public hearings, issue subpoenas, and imposes fines and penalties to assist with its compliance responsibilities. The Commission is a resource for City staff, public officials, candidates for local elective office, lobbyists, contractors doing business with Oakland, City residents, businesses and other organizations.