Fines Under Consideration by North Dakota For Weaponizing Complaint Process

Commissioner Murray Sagsveen, right. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Ethics Commission is considering establishing a penalty for complaints filed in bad faith.

Commissioner Murray Sagsveen during a commission meeting proposed adding the penalty as part of a larger update to the commission’s rule process.

“I’ve heard many legislators and others complain about weaponizing the system,” Sagsveen said.

If the executive director determines that a complaint was filed to “harass or impugn the reputation of the respondent” or was otherwise filed for a deceptive purpose, the director will notify the commission, according to his proposal. The commission may then order the complaint filer to demonstrate that the complaint is legitimate.

The filer may respond in writing or request a hearing in front of commission, the amendment says.