JCOPE authorizes 'steps' in unnamed 'investigative matters' Closed-door decision comes as Cuomo faces series of ethics scandals FacebookTwitterEmail George H. Weissman, Joint Commission on Public Ethics commissioner, weighs on whether to release an inspector general's leak probe letter on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, during a meeting in Albany, N.Y. The letter was received last month from the state inspector general's office explaining why it had failed to substantiate an alleged leak from the ethics watchdog's secret deliberations. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union ALBANY — The state Joint Commission on Public Ethics discussed and authorized "steps" concerning unspecified “investigative matters” during a specially-called meeting on Friday.