Formal investigation

(a) A formal investigation shall be initiated upon: (1) Receipt of a written complaint transmitted to the Ethics Board; (2) A finding by the Office of the Inspector General or District of Columbia Auditor of waste, fraud, abuse of government resources, or a violation of the Code of Conduct; or (3) A finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of liability in a civil proceeding, indictment, or information in a criminal proceeding with respect to acts or offenses that may constitute violations of the Code of Conduct or of this subchapter. (b) A written complaint shall include: (1) The full name and address of the complainant and the respondent; (2) A clear and concise statement of facts that are alleged to constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct or of this subchapter; (3) The complainant’s signature; (4) A verification of the complaint under oath; and (5) Supporting documentation, if any. (c) No complaint may be made under this subchapter later than 5 years after the discovery of the alleged violation. (d) An individual making a complaint shall be afforded all available protections from adverse employment action or retaliation in accordance with Chapter 6 of this title and subchapter XII of Chapter 2 of Title 2 [§ 2-223.01 et seq.]. (e) Within 30 business days of the initiation of a formal investigation, the Director of Government Ethics shall cause evidence concerning the complaint to be presented to the Ethics Board, with the potential for a 15-business-day extension to be granted by the Ethics Board. If the Ethics Board decides that there is reasonable belief that a violation has occurred, the Ethics Board may authorize the issuance of subpoenas.