D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-5301
The Director shall conduct a preliminary investigation of a possible violation of the Code of Conduct or of the Act brought to the attention of the Director by any source including but not limited to the following:
If during or after the preliminary investigation, the Director of Government Ethics has reason to believe that a violation of the Code of Conduct or of the Act may have occurred, the Director shall present evidence of the violation to the Board.
Upon presentation of evidence, the Ethics Board may authorize a formal investigation and the issuance of subpoenas if it finds reason to believe a violation has occurred.
A preliminary investigation may be dismissed at any time by the Director or Board if insufficient evidence exists to support a reasonable belief that a violation has occurred.
The identity of an individual who is the subject of the preliminary investigation shall not be disclosed without the individual's consent unless or until the Board finds reason to believe that the individual has committed a violation and that disclosure would not harm the investigation.
In conducting a preliminary investigation, the Director shall have the authority to gather evidence using any of the powers and procedures described in § 5303.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-5301