(Credit: Ci.Stamford.Ct.Us)

The City of Stamford, Connecticut’s board of ethics “is considering adopting a rule that would allow it to dismiss complaints that have been leaked to the media before probable cause is determined,” The Stamford Advocate reported.

That way, the board thinks it can “discourage” members of the public from “filing frivolous complaints that can slander public officials.”

The board’s chairman, Daniel Young, commented to the Stamford Advocate:

“As a matter of confidentiality, if our code is trying to protect someone who is being accused from negative implications before they are proven, then there’s an interest in stopping people from publicizing it.”

Earlier this month, the board “voted unanimously” for the proposed rule, but it will be reconsidering the proposal in light of First Amendment implications.