File an Ethics Complaint

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust has jurisdiction to investigate allegations contained within a sworn, notarized complaint concerning violations of Miami-Dade County and municipal ethics codes against individual employees or officials of Miami-Dade County and its 34 municipalities. Sworn complaints may be filed through the Commission's submission form.

You may also report violations anonymously through our online form or by calling the Commission’s hotline at 786-314-9560.  However, without a sworn notarized complaint, the Commission on Ethics and Public Trust cannot investigate your alleged violations. The Commission will refer tips and complaints to partner agencies and programs able to initiate an ethics investigation based on unsworn submissions.

Please note that information submitted to the Commission will become a public record.
  • Complete and notarize a complaint form
    • Get your complaint notarized or have your complaint notarized free online
      For assistance call the 24-hour hotline: 786-314-9560
      Or Send an email to ethics@miamidade.gov
  • The complaint must:
    • Allege a violation within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission
    • Be based on substantial personal knowledge of the complaint
    • Include as much evidence as possible

The legal unit of the Commission reviews this information, and the Advocate may file a complaint based on the information provided, even in the absence of personal knowledge.

Within 30 days after receipt of the complaint, the Ethics Commission shall send a copy of the complaint to the alleged violator.

Please note: The Ethics Commission does not hear complaints involving personnel disputes.

Complaint Procedures

Upon receiving a complaint, the Commission staff will conduct a preliminary analysis to ensure it is legally sufficient. If the complaint is deemed legally sufficient, it will go before the Ethics Commission for a probable cause determination.

Findings

If the Commission finds no probable cause, the complaint will be dismissed. If the Commission finds there is probable cause, the matter can be set for a public hearing and such proceedings must comply with the Sunshine Law. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission shall make a finding and issue a report as to whether any provision within its jurisdiction has been violated.

Penalties

If Commission members declare a violation has been committed, they shall issue an order imposing the appropriate penalty, which may include fines, letters of instructions or other penalties which may be imposed by law.

Report an Ethics Violation

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust has jurisdiction to investigate allegations concerning violations of Miami-Dade County and municipal ethics codes against individual employees or officials of Miami-Dade County and its 34 municipalities. You may report an Ethics violation by submitting a tip or calling the Ethics Hotline at 786-314-9560.

Reporting an ethics violation is different than filing an ethics complaint in that Complaints must be filed by completing a designated complaint form that must be notarized and cannot be anonymous.