A formal ethics complaint was filed with the Campbell County Ethics Commission alleging that Campbell County Coroner Mark G. Schweitzer violated the Campbell County Code of Ethics and relevant Kentucky Revised Statutes concerning conflicts of interest and public officer conduct. The complaint alleges that Coroner Schweitzer engaged in self-dealing related to the local procurement and rental of office space, as well as reimbursing himself for “office supplies” without proper itemization.
The complaint is specifically directed at the arrangement concerning the location of the Coroner’s office, which is situated at 20 N. Grand Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY. This address is reportedly the same location as Mark G. Schweitzer’s private chiropractic practice. The filing indicates that county funds have been used to pay rent for this space for over five years, spanning fiscal years 2020 through 2025.
Summary of Allegations to the Ethics Committee
The official complaint sets forth several specific allegations regarding the Coroner’s conduct and arrangements:
- Conflict of Interest through Rental Agreement: The Campbell County Coroner’s office is located at the same address as Mr. Schweitzer’s private chiropractic practice. The arrangement creates a direct or indirect financial interest for the Coroner in a county contract, as he allegedly benefits personally from rental payments made with public funds for a property he controls.
- Lack of Proper Procurement: The rental agreement was allegedly executed without a formal lease agreement, competitive bidding, requests for proposals (RFPs), or a procurement process compliant with county or state rules. Furthermore, no fair market value appraisal or rent comparability study appears to have been conducted to ensure that payments were reasonable.
- Prioritizing Personal Gain: Despite the availability of county office space, the Coroner opted for this private arrangement, resulting in a lack of dedicated office space for coroners and requiring working space far from vehicles, prioritizing personal financial gain over the needs of the public and staff.
- Appearance of Impropriety: The conduct is alleged to erode public trust, create at least the appearance of impropriety, and constitute self-dealing in violation of ethical standards.
Why This Matters to Every Citizen in the County
This complaint involves core issues of public trust and the stewardship of taxpayer funds. The arrangement is alleged to violate ethical standards that prohibit county officers from using their position to gain private benefit from public duties.
- Misuse of Public Funds: The alleged arrangement of bypassing competitive bidding or a fair market assessment risks inflated or unnecessary expenditures of public funds. Citizens rely on public officials to follow procurement rules to ensure the county receives appropriate value for its spending, thereby preventing the waste of taxpayer money.
- Upholding Ethical Standards: The Campbell County Code of Ethics (Chapter 35) explicitly prohibits county officers from having a direct or indirect financial interest in contracts with the county. Analogous principles require public officials to act strictly in the best interest and efficient use of public funds.
- Potential for Criminal Charges: If the conduct is found to involve misuse of public funds or official misconduct, it could potentially lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, carrying fines up to $10,000, imprisonment, or forfeiture of office under Kentucky Revised Statutes 522.020–522.030.
Next Steps in the Official Complaint Process
The complaint requests that the Ethics Commission initiate a full investigation into the matter of Coroner Mark G. Schweitzer
The key next steps requested by the filer include:
- Investigation: The Ethics Commission is asked to conduct a full investigation into the allegations.
- Document Review: This investigation should include reviewing all relevant records, such as financial records, any existing lease documents, procurement files, and property ownership documentation.
- Sanctions: The filer requests that the Commission impose appropriate sanctions if violations are definitively found.
The complaint was sworn and subscribed by Derek J. Myers on December 16, 2025. The filing mandates that the Ethics Commission now assess the evidence provided against Campbell County’s ethical and statutory requirements.
