P.J.S. V. Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission

The question presented is whether the State Ethics Commission (Commission) is barred from investigating alleged ethical violations of appellant. Appellant is an attorney licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Appellant asserts first, that the investigation is barred as it would conflict with this court's exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the ethical and professional conduct of attorneys admitted to practice in this Commonwealth. In the alternative appellant asserts that the investigation is barred as he is not a public official or public employee subject to investigation under the conflict of interest provisions at 65 P.S. § 403. ("Ethics Act").*fn1 For the reasons that follow, we find that the Commission is not barred from investigating the allegations against appellant, and thus, we affirm the decision of the Commonwealth Court.