52:9M-8. Referral of certain information to Attorney General, exceptions

8. a. Except as provided in subsection c. of this section, whenever the commission or any employee of the commission obtains any information or evidence of a reasonable possibility of criminal wrongdoing, the commission shall immediately refer such information or evidence to the Attorney General.

b. Except as provided in subsection c. of this section, whenever the commission or any employee of the commission obtains information or evidence of cause for the removal or discipline of a public official or public employee, the commission shall, as soon as practicable, refer such information or evidence to the Attorney General unless the commission shall, by majority vote, determine that special circumstances exist which require the delay in transmittal of the information or evidence.

c. Whenever the commission or any employee of the commission obtains any information or evidence of criminal wrongdoing or misconduct on the part of the Attorney General, the commission shall immediately refer such information or evidence to the Governor, the Senate President and the Speaker of the General Assembly for further direction to the commission pursuant to section 3 of P.L. 1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3) or for any other action authorized by the laws of this State or of the United States.

d. Whenever the commission or any employee of the commission obtains any information or evidence indicating a reasonable possibility of an unauthorized disclosure of information or a violation of any provision of P.L. 1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-1 et seq.), the commission shall immediately refer such information to the Attorney General.

L.1968,c.266,s.8; amended 1979, c.254, s.10; 1996, c. 44, s.1.