Thank you.
For us, the real purpose of penalties assessed against reporting public office holders is to encourage compliance. Penalties are certainly a measure that the commissioner can use, but she genuinely believes in public transparency. In her opinion, a public report is the most important tool available to her to respond to substantive violations of the Conflict of Interest Act. When she investigates a public office holder, she must then submit a report. At this time, she feels that a public report is truly the tool that represents the best sanction, as it informs people of the situation that has occurred.