Muncie Ethics Commission dismisses 13 complaints for insufficient facts

The Muncie Ethics Commission voted May 14 to dismiss 13 ethics complaints filed in April after initial reviews found they did not allege sufficient facts to support violations of the city's code of ethics, the commission said.

The complaints, numbered EC25-1 through EC25-13, were filed with the Muncie City Clerk on April 15 and April 22 and were examined in executive sessions on April 23 and April 30. Under the commission's rules and the municipal ordinance, the panel does not accept public comment during this initial review stage.

For each complaint the commission made and seconded a motion to dismiss under the code of ethics provision cited in the motions, "section 42.01 d 4," on the grounds that the filings did not allege sufficient facts to determine a violation. Each motion was approved by roll call. Commissioners voting yes were Commissioner Chip Taylor, Commissioner Susan Dillon, Commissioner Jim Lowe, Commissioner W.C. Edwards and Commissioner Sandra Whitaker.

A commissioner said the panel "took everyone very seriously" and reviewed each submission "point by point," emphasizing that the commission's conclusions were based on the ordinance's specific standards for initial review. The commission noted that if any complaint later meets the ordinance's threshold for further investigation, the parties would have opportunities for a hearing with testimony and witnesses.

The commission completed initial action on all 13 complaints and moved on to old business. The panel's next regular meeting was announced for June 11.