Ex Parte Communications

Commissioners or hearing officers, may not initiate, permit, or consider ex parte communications or other communications to be made outside the presence of the parties, concerning the merits of a pending complaint or appeal. Pending is defined as a complaint or appeal that Commissioners or Hearing Officers know has been filed or should reasonably foresee will be filed. Commissioners or hearing officers shall not participate in rendering the decision in a case where they have participated in the case in an advocacy role. This Rule does not prohibit either the Commission or hearing officer from communicating with the legal advisor to the Commission. (Amended 7/13/04)

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