Withdrawal of a public complaint is certainly a right, but the issue is what if this is done out of fear of retribution? What does a municipal Integrity Commissioner (IC) do if the complaint has merit but is withdrawn because of fear of loss of job or a contract? The letter of the law in the Province of Ontario, Canada, would suggest that the complaint stops immediately in its tracks, as would be the case if a court suit was initiated. But the spirit of the law could be that the topic be pursued as an investigation by the IC acting in the public interest. After all, it is the public interest that is being served by the office of the IC.
For three timely articles on this subject intended for the professional organizational ethicist, see the Municipal Integrity Webzine Newsletter, released today, at http://ethicscan.ca/news.html?hc2=3.. This and all issues at directly downloadable for free
