MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama Ethics Commission is
investigating a state employee's use of her state-paid cell phone
to operate a private business during state business hours.

Officials with the Public Service Commission told the Montgomery
Advertiser that an investigator with the Ethics Commission has
requested documents and they are cooperating.

The records involve the director of the PSC's energy division, Janice Hamilton. The commission voted 2-1 to suspend her for 30 days last year because of her use of a state cell phone for a private travel business.

She also had to reimburse the commission $938 for overage charges on her cell phone.

The executive director of the Ethics Commission, Jim Sumner,
said state law prohibits him from commenting on any pending
investigation.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)