Head of state ethics board retains position following evaluation

The state Ethics Commission took no action Wednesday against Les Kondo, the commission’s executive director, after completing an evaluation of his job performance stemming from recent criticism that his office has overstepped its bounds in enforcing ethics rules.

After three-and-a-half hours behind closed doors in executive session, the five-member commission emerged to announce it had completed its evaluation and that further evaluations would be conducted in the future as situations arise.

Commission Chairman Edward Broglio declined specific comment on the private session citing confidentiality of personnel matters. Kondo also had no comment.

Kondo has rankled some public officials with his interpretation of the state Ethics Code.

Most recently, he had enforced prohibitions against state employees accepting free golf outings and other gifts. Educators also were told they could not accept accept free travel from tour companies on educational trips for students and lawmakers were barred from accepting free tickets from lobbyists to attend charitable fundraisers.