Ethics Commission process to deal with Fries, Moss complaint

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - In less than a month, the Ethics Commission will decide what may happen to Sheriff Ken Fries and County Councilman Paul Moss.

The ethics commission normally doesn't hand out punishment to elected officials. On July 20, the three member commission may actually do just that.

First, the ethics commission will review the complaint submitted by Philip Pease. After review, the members will deliberate.

From there they will decide if the Ethics Commission is the proper forum for the complaint. If they decide that it is the proper forum, the commission will review the options available to them proceeding forward, which are outlined in the ethics ordinance.

The ethics ordinance states they also have the right to refer the matter to the Sheriff's Department and County Council. The Ethics Commission may also give recommendations to those agencies.

News Channel 15's Megan Reust caught up with Sheriff Fries a week ago at an Allen County Council Meeting . He told Reust he thinks he'll be exonerated.

She tried again Wednesday to get in contact with Councilman Moss. He did not answer or return calls before this story aired.