Windcrest ethics commission dismisses two complaints against Council member Marcus Yaks

The Windcrest Ethics Commission on Jan. 10 dismissed two sworn ethics complaints filed by Jimmy Cole against City Council member Marcus Yaks.

The commission found the first complaint time-barred under the ethics code—s one-year filing limit and dismissed a second complaint after the complainant failed to appear at the hearing, the commission said.

The hearing began at approximately 5:32 p.m. The City Secretary recorded the roll call: Joe Global, Venita Wright and Victoria Mills were present. The commission—s presiding officer opened the item by saying the sworn complaint covered alleged acts between March 27, 2023, and July 30, 2024, and that the complainant was not present.

Commission members cited Section 2.53(b)(4) of the Windcrest ethics code, which the presiding officer read aloud: "The ethics commission shall not consider any alleged ethics code violation that occurred more than 1 year prior to the date of the filing of the complaint." The commission noted that the first alleged incident cited in the complaint occurred on June 17, 2023, while the complaint was filed on Aug. 26, 2024, more than one year later. A motion to dismiss the first complaint as time-barred was made, seconded and approved unanimously.

The commission then considered the second complaint. The presiding officer stated the respondent, City Council member Marcus Yaks, was ill and would not appear; the complainant, Jimmy Cole, also did not appear. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to dismiss the second complaint for lack of prosecution (failure of the complainant to appear). That motion also passed unanimously.

The commission recorded the actions and closed the matter. The presiding officer announced, "This closes the hearing of the Jim Cole versus Marcus Yaks matter," and adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:38 p.m.

Votes at a glance: two dismissal motions passed unanimously.