HONOLULU — The state Ethics Commission is deferring a decision on the fate of its longtime executive director after meeting for hours with the official's lawyer.

Commission Chairwoman Maria Sullivan on Wednesday said Dan Mollway remains the agency's top administrator and lawyer, and that the panel is in discussions with him about his duties.

She also says malfeasance isn't the reason for the deliberations.

But Sullivan would not describe what prompted the discussions.

She commented after the panel met in executive session with a deputy attorney general. Mollway's lawyer, Susan Ichinose, also participated in part of the closed meeting. Mollway did not attend.

Mollway has served as the panel's executive director for 24 years.