Conflict of Interest
The State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act requires that approximately
25,000 Virginia governmental officers and employees disclose their financial
interests. This disclosure occurs when the individual assumes the office or
employment and then annually on or before January 15. Information pertaining
to real estate, business interests, gifts, travel, liabilities, directorships
and other matters is subject to disclosure depending on the office or employment
of the occupant. These disclosure statements are available for review by the
public for a period of no less than five years. State officers and employees are further required to attend orientation courses wherein they are instructed in regards to conflict of interests.
Online Conflict of Interest Filing for State Employees, Board and Commission Appointees
Beginning in 2012, state employees and board and commission appointees are strongly encouraged to disclose their financial interests through the new online conflict of interest disclosure system. Access to the online system is managed via your agency coordinator. Any questions regarding the online filing procedure or your online account should be directed to your coordinator's attention. If you are not sure who your agency coordinator is, please contact your agency's human resources officer.
I am a private citizen and would like to review someone's disclosure:
You may contact Patrick Mayfield at (804) 692-0102 to review the disclosure form of state officers
and employees.
Members of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have
their forms on file with the clerks of their respective bodies and arrangements
to review those forms may be made by contacting those offices. The phone
number for the Clerk of the Senate is (804) 698-7400 and for the Clerk of
the House is (804) 698-1619.
If
you are interested in the disclosure of local officers and employees, contact
either the clerk of the governing body or school board. For further information
pertaining to the accessibility of disclosure, please contact Patrick Mayfield at (804) 692-0102.
I am a governmental officer or employee and have to disclose my interests:
Depending on your office or employment, you should complete one
of the three documents listed below.
- The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General,
Justices of the Supreme Court, all judges, and all employees of the Commonwealth
of Virginia who have been designated by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests form.
- Non-salaried members
of policy, supervisory and advisory boards, commissions and councils in the
executive branch of Virginia's government must complete a Financial Disclosure
Statement. Members of a few specific executive branch boards are required
to file a completed Statement of Economic Interests.
- All
members of local governing bodies and school boards of any city, county or
town with a population greater than 3,500 and all other local officials and
employees who are designated by the local governing body are required to
file a Statement of Economic Interests form.
Non-salaried members of local boards, commissions and councils may have to
file a Financial Disclosure Statement if the local governing body requires
them to do so.
- Members of the governing body of any authority having the power
to issue bonds or expend funds in excess of $10,000 in any fiscal year are
required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement unless the governing body
of the jurisdiction that appoints the members requires that the members file
the Statement of Economic Interests.
- Members of local planning commissions,
boards of zoning appeals, real estate assessors and all executive officers
in any city, county or town with a population greater than 3,500 are required
to file a Disclosure of Real Estate Holdings.
- Constitutional officers, which
are the city or county Treasurer, Sheriff, Commonwealth's Attorney, Clerk
of Circuit Court and Commissioner of Revenue, must complete the Statement
of Economic Interests form as a condition of taking office and must also
file a form annually.
- All
legislators must file a Statement of Economic Interests form as a condition
of taking office and then annually.
- All candidates for election to the General
Assembly and the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General
must file a Statement of Economic Interests form. Candidates for membership
on a local governing body or school board of any county, city or town with
a population greater than 3,500 must also file a Statement of Economic Interests
form.
For further information pertaining to which document you should complete,
please contact Patrick Mayfield at (804) 692-0102.
All three documents are open for public inspection:
- Statement of Economic Interests (PDF, 216K | Word,
545 K)
- Financial Disclosure Statement (PDF, 46 k | Word,
86 K)
- Disclosure of Real Estate Holdings (PDF, 45 K | Word,
43 K)
NOTE: Users interested in saving these forms for future use or reference
should download the Word versions.
Frequently Asked Forms Questions:
When filling out the Statement of Economic Interests form, who do I consider
my "immediate family"?
Immediate family means spouse, children who are still living at home and are
dependents, or any other person living in your home who is dependent upon you
and who received from you more than one-half of his or her financial support.
When completing Schedule B of the Statement of Economic Interests form, what
do I consider my "personal liabilities"?
Personal liabilities means money owed to a bank or one creditor for over $10,000.
This debt includes such things as student loans, and credit cards. This does
not include such things that can be taken away for non-payment, such as a car
loan, a mortgage on your home. For example, your house or car can be repossessed
if you do not pay, however, if you have student loans, your education cannot
be taken away from you, and you are personally liable to pay on these loans.
When completing Schedule E of the Statement of Economic Interests form, what
do I consider a "gift"?
All gifts over $50 must be reported. A gift is considered any gratuity, hospitality,
entertainment (including meals, transportation, lodging) that was given to
you by a business, government or individual other than a relative or close
personal friend and for which you neither paid for nor provided services in
exchange.
When completing Schedule G of the Statement of Economic Interests form, who
do I consider a "close financial associate"?
A close financial associate includes any partner in a business, co-owner of
a business or piece of land, or member of your immediate family. This does
not include an individual who is receiving retirement benefits from a business
or who may be representing a state governmental agency.
What is the penalty for failure to file a Statement of Economic Interests
form or wrongly filing the form?
Any person who does not file or who knowingly files the Statement of Economic
Interests form inaccurately will be charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor which
is punishable by no more than 12 months in jail and a fine of no more that
$2,500. A local official who knowingly files the form inaccurately will be
charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of no more
than $500. Any person who knowingly files the form inaccurately may also be
dismissed from office or employment.
I am a governmental officer or employee and have to attend a conflict of interest
orientation course:
If you occupy an office or position of employment within state government
wherein you are required to disclose your financial interests, you are additionally
required to attend a Conflict of Interest orientation course. The course must
be completed within 60 days of assuming office or employment and thereafter
once every two years. If you are uncertain if you have to attend the course,
you may contact Patrick Mayfield at (804) 692-0102. Further
instructions pertaining to the availability of the course can be found on the
Office of the Attorney General’s Web site.
For further information please contact:
Patrick Mayfield
Conflict of Interest Director
1111 East Broad Street, 4th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 692-0102
or use our Inquiry Form
