Rochester board authorizes assistant city attorney to investigate two ethics complaints; 45-day timeline set

The Rochester Board of Ethics on May 6 authorized an ethics investigation into two written complaints received by the city on April 23, approving an assistant city attorney to serve as the Ethics Investigation Officer (EIO) and naming former Police Chief Paul Toussaint to assist.

A staff member told the board that a sufficiency review on April 25 found both complaints adequate to proceed under the city’s administrative code (Article 11). Staff recommended an in-house attorney — identified in the meeting record as Assistant City Attorney Andrew Kreckle — to serve as the EIO, citing considerations of experience, timeliness and cost. The board voted to accept the recommendation and authorize the EIO to begin investigations.

Staff said the investigations are to be completed within 45 days under the ordinance; additional time is possible but would require prior approval. The staff member also said that Compliance Officer and former Police Chief Paul Toussaint would be available to assist the EIO, particularly with interviews.

Board discussion included confirmation of the timeline and a statement that, given the investigative timeline and the limited remaining business, adjourning the meeting was appropriate. The board adjourned after authorizing the investigation.

Next steps: staff said the EIO will provide a written report to the board when investigations are complete, the board will hold a public hearing on the report, and then issue a decision to the school board as prescribed under the ordinance.