Suffolk County Board of Ethics

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How do I request access to Board of Ethics public records under the Freedom of Information Law?

FOIL requests must be made in writing. Please be as specific as possible when making your request so that we can identify the records that are responsive to your request. We strongly encourage you to complete an Application for Access to Public Records (FOIL Request) which is accessible by the link below. The completed Application for Board of Ethics public records should be mailed to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Suffolk County Board of Ethics
300 County Center Drive
Office N 204
Riverhead, NY 11901

Or sent by e-mail to EthicsFoilOfficer@suffolkcountyny.gov

Or sent by fax to (631) 854-0028

Hand-delivered applications are also accepted (Note: office location differs from mailing address)

Please include in your application: Your name, address and phone number so that we may properly respond to your request.

Application for Access to Board of Ethics Public Records

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What happens after the FOIL Officer receives an Application for Access to Board of Ethics Public Records?

You will receive an official acknowledgement of your FOIL Request pursuant to New York State Public Officers Law §89(3)(a) within five business days of our receipt of your request with an estimate of how long it will take to retrieve the requested records.

PLEASE NOTE: If your request application is hand-delivered, you will receive a hand-delivery receipt. This receipt is not an official acknowledgement of your FOIL request pursuant to New York State Public Officers Law §89(3)(a).

What are the costs/fees associated with making a FOIL Request?

The Freedom of Information Officer, or her designee, will notify you of the number of pages responsive to your request. If you would like copies of the records, there is a charge of 25¢ per page, which must be paid before the release of the requested records. A certified/cashier's check or money order for the applicable fee should be made payable to “Suffolk County Treasurer."

What if I request to inspect the records in person at the Office of the Board of Ethics?

Upon receiving a notice of approval you may call, or email, the Board of Ethics’ Freedom of Information Officer to make an appointment to review the requested records in person at the Office of the Board of Ethics. When you arrive at your appointment to review the records you must produce valid government issued identification. A Board representative will make a photocopy of your identification to keep on record (your license identification number will be redacted) and the original will be retained until you return the records in their entirety.

What can I do if my request is denied in whole or in part?

State Law exempts certain records from disclosure. The Freedom of Information Officer may deny your request in whole, or in part, if it falls under these exemptions. If you disagree with the Freedom of Information Officer’s denial of your request, you may appeal by sending a letter to:

FOIL Appeals Officer
Suffolk County Attorney
H. Lee Dennison Building, 6th Floor
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York 11788

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To view the formal Procedure for Submitting Freedom of Information (FOIL) Request (s) (Access to Public Records) please click on the link below:

Procedure for Submitting Freedom of Information (FOIL) Request (s) (Access to Public Records)

Additional Links:

Department of State Committee on Open Government:

http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/foil2.html

Suffolk County Code Chapter 971:

See Article II, Law Enforcement Personnel Information

http://ecode360.com/15133554#./15133561?&_suid=136733395839702291242766840701

Suffolk County Code Chapter 77:

See Article II §77-14, Public Inspection of Statements

http://ecode360.com/14942225#./16062100?&_suid=1367334131445021910066619739965

Suffolk County SOP (Standard Operating Procedure):

New York State Freedom of Information Law

Suffolk County Administrative Code

§ A30-8. CONFIDENTIALITY.

[Amended 8-21-2012 by L.L. No. 49-2012]

A. Except as otherwise provided by this article, testimony received or any other information obtained by a member of the Board or the staff of the Board in connection with the preparation of an advisory opinion or the investigation of a complaint or referral, or the conduct of a hearing related to a complaint or referral, is confidential and shall not be disclosed by any such individual to any person or entity outside the Board. However, the Board shall provide all documents requested by the Suffolk County Legislature or a duly authorized committee of the Legislature that is exercising oversight of the Board of Ethics. Such a request for records must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature via a procedural motion.

B. Any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information by a member of the Board, or the executive director, independent counsel or staff of the Board, shall be a violation punishable by a fine of not more than $1,500, or imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both.

Procedure:

Procedure for Submitting Freedom of Information (FOIL) Request (s) (Access to Public Records)

Application:

Application for Access to Board of Ethics Public Records

PLEASE NOTE:  The Suffolk County Board of Ethics does not maintain records of any other County Department, Board or Agency. 

Mail Application for Access to Board of Ethics Public Records to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Suffolk County Board of Ethics
300 County Center Drive
Office N 204
Riverhead, NY 11901

Email:

 Ethics Foil Officer

Fax: (631) 854-0028

NOTICE: You have a right to appeal a denial of Application in writing to the FOIL Appeals Officer within 30 days of the denial.

Send Appeals to:

FOIL Appeals Officer
Suffolk County Attorney
H. Lee Dennison Building, 6^th Floor
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York 11788

Subject Matter Index

Board Policy #002-2014:
Record Redaction Policy