The state's new ethics and lobbying regulator on Tuesday announced the addition of key staff to help its day-to-day operations. 

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government is the successor organization to the defunct Joint Commission on Public Ethics and includes appointments to a board by the governor, legislative leaders, state comptroller and state attorney general. 

“We continue to build a strong team of highly talented and motivated individuals who are dedicated to ensuring elected officials and those who seek to influence them are adhering to the highest ethical standards,” said Executive Director Sanford Berland. “I am pleased to see our staff grow and look forward to working with both existing and new employees to fulfill our broad and far-reaching responsibilities in as transparent a manner as possible.”

The new appointments include Keith St. John as the commission's general counsel; St. John previously served as deputy counsel and director of ethics of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. 

Kavita Bhatt will serve as deputy general counsel; she previously served as an associate attorney at the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and had been tasked with overseeing the new commission's investigations unit. 

Emily DeSantis will serve as the director of communications for the new commission. Carol Quinn has been appointed director of lobbying and Michael Sande has been appointed director of ethics.