North Dakota ethics panel director to retire

Fee Government Director Dave Thiele informed the Tribune on Monday he’ll retire Aug. 1, “barring issues getting a substitute.” 

The previous Nationwide Guard ethics counselor initially retired in 2019, however he took on the Ethics Fee function in January 2020 for the distinctive alternative, citing his authorized background. Thiele, who might be 63 later this yr, plans to take pleasure in {golfing}, looking and spending time together with his grandchildren.

“It is simply time to take pleasure in my retirement,” he stated.

Voters in 2018 created the five-member Ethics Fee tasked with moral oversight of state authorities, together with lawmakers and state elected officers. 

The panel first met in September 2019, and has adopted criticism guidelines and present guidelines, amongst different work.

The board is drafting guidelines for conflicts of curiosity and marketing campaign contributions, together with for officers concerned in “quasi-judicial” proceedings, such because the Public Service Fee and Industrial Fee.

The panel has obtained and dismissed 14 complaints. A call on a fifteenth is pending.

Thiele stated the board “is a extremely good group that takes their function very severely, and it has been an fascinating couple of years, evidently, ranging from zero, however hopefully I helped them transfer the ball.”

Fee Chairman Ron Goodman stated the panel would favor its subsequent govt director be in place as quickly as attainable, “however we need to get certified candidates” for the place. He stated Thiele has been “very, excellent.” Thiele stated he is aware of of 1 particular person making use of for the job. 

The place hasn’t been with out controversy. The Republican-led state Home of Representatives in 2021 initially killed the Ethics Fee price range invoice amid criticism of Thiele’s $135,000 annual wage, however the Home reconsidered and later handed the invoice for the constitutionally mandated board. The price range is among the smallest in state authorities. 

The Ethics Fee meets Wednesday.