Ben Rose, Chair
Betty Danis ce Chair
‘Wiliam Green Biking,
0 West Spring Steet, L3
Columbus, Obie 32152256
“elepine: (614) 466-7090,
(614) 1658368,
Pau M. Nie
Eesatve Dietor
ete
June 6, 2011
Dan Ferguson, Es.
Office oF Buller Couny Prosecuting,
‘Attorney Michael T: Gmoser
P.O. Box 515
Hamilton, OH 45012
Re: Former Butler County Commissioner Greg Jolivette
Dear Mr. Ferguson:
‘As roquested by your afc, the Ohio Ethies Commission has concluded its investigation and
review of whether former Butler County Commissioner Greg Jolivette violated any of the Ethics Laws or
related statues and, i's, what is the appropriate resolution
Pursuant to its authority under R.C. 102,06(G)(1), the Commission and Me. Jolivete have entered
into the attached Settlement Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr, Jolivete will pay tothe Butler
County treasury the sum of $6,629.66 by July 31,2011, forthe reasons set fort in the Agreement. With
this Agreement the Commission considers this matter closed,
‘Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Gd ile
Nick
Executive Director
CC: Donald C. Brey, Esq. (via e-mail)
Promoting Ethie in Public Service Jor Olio Since 1974FILED
JUN 8
OHIO ETHICS COMMISSION
Wiliam Green Building
30 West Spring Stet, C3
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2256
“Telephone: (614) 466-7000
Fa: (614) 400-8968,
20H
‘oo eres commun
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Tn the Matter of Greg Jolivette
Inquiry No, 09-Q-0819.034
May 19, 2011
‘This agreement is entered into between the Ohio Ethics Commission (Commission and Greg Jolivete
Glolivete) pursuant to the Commission's authority under Ohio Revised Coe Section 102.06(G)(1).
‘Summary; On August 10, 2009, the Commission received corespondence ftom the Butler County
Prosecuting Atomey sting forth potential ties violations by Greg, olive, Butler County Commistener
Specially, the Prosestor requested that the Commission examine Jolivete's vote in 2005 on a resolution to
bite his son, who during calendar years 2005 and 2006 was pid total of $6,371.48 for work a he Butler
County Wastewater Cllctions Department. In aiton, the Commission was asked to examine wheter or not
Joliveteparspated in votes on reslitions thie and pay his daughter a a summer clerk a the offs of the
Butler County Job & Family Serves, etning $9 per hour Fors ttl of $9,894.60 during calendar years 2004,
2005, and 2006, g
ine
sgu.9
sau”
fas Thine at 205, ep Revi a vege
omy te Waser Cats Dt mel Ns fe sae if
ror th Cay, nhs on apt on ne 10,205, an was sey i On iy 2005,
{ute wed on Reatin No, 05.5 49 which ncn «pvt te vo sexs employe
ising isso, his oe vas dn in von he Bis Law 8 205, Kevin oe as ai
of 412266 Kevin lve was a ied bythe Contin te sme f 206, Hwee, lee was
att whe the Commisinas naz’ png hin on My 16,2068 Reson No 06.05.0858,
‘The vesigation reves tnt in te sur 2004, Jet's dg, zt, was ing
home as dependent ehild,Joivete leaned fom Derek Conklin, who was then the County Administrator, tht
Page 1 of 3Jolivtte Settlement Agreement
Page2.0f3,
‘he County's Depstnent of J0b ad Faniy Serves ha a summer internship program fr college sides, and
“Iolvte tld his daughter about his program, She subsequently applied and was hired by the Department of
Jl and Family Sevies inthe summer of 2004, In 2008 and 2006, his daueher agin was hired by the
County's Deptt of ob ad FanilySevises pursuant othe summer itensip program.
Butler County's Department of Job and Family Services repulrly submited lists of employees’ payroll
tothe Board of County Commissioners of Butler County. Inthe summers of 2004, 2005, and 2006, those i
reflected the ft tat Jolvet’s daughter ws onthe parol ofthe County's Department of Job and Fanily
Services: Jolivete routinely voted on resolutions tha the Department of Job and Fansy Services ists “be
the lists hat contained references to his daughter. The investigation
received and placed on file", includ
ound tat the Department of Job and Family Services neither sought nor obtained authorization from Folivette
or the other two Butler County Commissioners to hte and pay Joivete’s daughter. Neither Joivete nor the
Board of Butler County Commissioners ever voted to “approve” or “authorize” the payments to Jolivete’s
received and placed on file” do not appear to have constituted
daughter Thus, the votes that payroll ist
violations of the Ethics Law. Although Jolivtte doesnot deny’ that he vored on these resolutions regarding
payroll ists which refered to his daughter, the investigation was inconelusveas to wha effet these votes had,
‘any, on processing the payroll ofthe Department of Jobs and Family Services
Mitigation: In tigation of any violation, pursuant to RC 102.06(6), the investigation revealed that
Jolivete die knowing atthe time of his vote on Resolution No 5-05-94 that he was aprovin payments to
his dependent son, though he dois tht he woah hes Law by acting recklessly in noting diligent in
this regard, AL the time, the practice of the County Commissioners was to vote on all maters atone time,
‘witout separmting actions which posed » penis enti of nkreat. The County Connie ave since
change tis practice zo that Commisioners vote on each sation, recoding abstentions a regu. Also, the
{act that Jolivet's son worked for the County pursbnt to his surmmer program was nt concealed, and the
program was sviabeto all lg college-age students in he County tthe tin, though it a since Been
terminated.Folivette Settlement Agreement
Page 3 of3
Further, Jolivete has cooperated fully withthe Commission's investigation, He does nt dispute that
his actions were in violton ofthe la, and swing to repay to the teary of Bier County the fall
mount of monis pai to Kevin Joliet in violation ofthe law, 2 total of $4129.66, In ation, slthough
Jlivete denies tht he violated the hie Law with respect fo voting on resolutions pertaining toprol Hise
that refered to his daughter's work at Jobs & Family Services, in frther mitigation, Joivete will pay an
ditonal $2.50 to the easy of Batler County, fra ttl of $662.66. This payment shall be made by
Joliet no ltr than July 3,201
er the fers ofthis Sttment Agreement, the Commision hereby issues a pblie reprimand to Greg,
Solivete for violations of ethics retctions, determining tat criminal prosecution is unwarranted and in iu of
ny refer of his mater. Jolivte ages oe into this etement agreement to resolve the Commision’s
investintion. A copy ofthis summary, and fequsted any suppetve documentation wil be shared with the
Butler County Prosecuting Atoms, and this agrement will be a public record. Finally, Jolivet acknowledges
that any ftue alleged voltons brought to the Commission or Prosecutor's fice wil be fly investigated
and, it wamaned bythe fats, recommend o be prosecuted othe fll extent f the le.
Per the ters ofthis Settlement Agreement, the Commission wil hereby close is review of this mater
in iow of any feral for prosecution,
onal C. Brey, Es
Counsel to Respondent
ilfo FinICs COxNMSSION
Paul M. Nie, Executive Director