Staff

    Report Fraud

    Auditor of State Fraud Center

    Ohio Auditor of State takes allegations of fraud in government seriously. The Auditor of State Office is committed to the timely and consistent review of all tips and complaints of suspected fraud. The link below will take you directly to the Auditor of State’s Fraud Center webpage.

    https://ohioauditor.gov/

    Ohio Ethics Law and Related Statutes

    The Ohio Ethics Law sets forth ethical standards for public officials and employees. Employees of the Educational Service Center of Medina County are public employees and are, therefore, bound by Ohio Ethics Law.

    The law provides that every public employee is prohibited from the following:

    Authorizing or using his/her position to secure authorization of a contract for him/herself, a family member, or a business associate. - Authorizing or using his/her position to secure the authorization of the investment of public funds in any kind of security to benefit him/herself, a family member, or business associate. - Receiving any benefits from a contract held by his/her employing agency. - Hiring or securing any contract benefits for his/her spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, or any relative living with him/her. - Soliciting or accepting substantial and improper things of value including gifts, travel, meals or lodging. - Participating in matters where something of value will result for him/her, his/her family, his/her business associates, or others with whom the person has a close tie. - Disclosing or using information deemed confidential by law. - Representing parties before any public agency in a matter in which he/she was involved as a public employee both during and for one year after leaving employment.

    The ESCMC is providing copies of the complete Ohio Ethics Law and Related Statutes as found at http://www.ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/ethicslaw.pdf and http://www.ethics.ohio.gov/education/factsheets/EthicsLawOverview.pdf.

    If you have questions about the law and related statutes, or if you need guidance on a specific situation, contact the ESCMC treasurer or superintendent. Additionally, the Ohio Ethics Commission can be contacted at 614-466-7090.

    As public employees, educational employees often have questions concerning gifts from students or families. According to Ohio Ethics Law, educators cannot accept gifts, meals, entertainment, or travel that could have a substantial and improper influence upon him/her in the performance of his/her duties. Specifically, the Ethics Commission cites the following unacceptable:  - Large or expensive gifts  - Meals at expensive restaurants  - Exclusive golf outings  - Season tickets for professional sports  - Theatre tickets  - Jewelry  - Discounts on major consumer items  - Travel, meal and lodging expenses The Commission indicates that the following could be accepted by a public employee:  - Small gifts such a book, a meal at a family restaurant, a promotional item, an inexpensive entertainment activity  - Other things of a nominal value To avoid impropriety, public employees, including employees at the Educational Service Center of Medina County, cannot accept any compensation or thing of value if it may compensate for or influence some action, inaction, or decision for which the employee is responsible.

    Transparency in Coverage

    The Transparency in Coverage mandate in the No Surprises Act/Transparency in Coverage Rule Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, requires that insurers and group health plans make rate information publicly accessible starting July, 2022. For Information regarding this Act, including rate information, click on: