North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 138A. State Government Ethics Act § 138A-9. Staff and offices

(a) The Commission may employ professional and clerical staff, including an executive director.

(b) The Commission shall be located within the Department of Administration for administrative purposes only, but shall exercise all of its powers, including the power to employ, direct, and supervise all personnel, independently of the Secretary of Administration, and is subject to the direction and supervision of the Secretary of Administration only with respect to the management functions of coordinating and reporting. The Department shall provide administrative support to the Commission free of charge.