Legal Advisories
The Legal Advisories page contains the DAEOgrams on substantive ethics issues published by OGE from 1992 to 2010, the Advisory Opinions published by OGE from 1979 to 2010, and the Legal Advisories, which OGE began publishing in 2011. On occasion, OGE will add notes to past guidance documents when that guidance is updated or superseded by law, regulation, or subsequent OGE guidance.
12/22/1993
93x40: Prior Approval of Outside Activities
5 C.F.R. § 2635.803 provides that, when required to do so by agency supplemental regulations, an employee shall obtain prior approval before engaging in an outside activity. This section applies to uncompensated as well as compensated outside activities.
12/20/1993
93x38: Time Required to Complete the SF 450 Form, Privacy Concerns, and Intra-Office Review of the SF 450 Form
Employee’s may be permitted by their agency to use work hours to complete the SF 450, the information required on the form is targeted at identifying conflicts of interest, and supervisors may review employee SF 450 forms but such information is strictly protected by executive branch principles of confidentiality and the Federal Privacy Act.
12/20/1993
93x37: Improvements to the SF 450 Form
OGE responds to suggestions to improve the SF 450 form, such as allowing employees to attach standard brokerage statements in lieu of actual form entries; allowing employees to separately identify assets held by the employee, spouse, and dependent children; using the excepted investment fund (EIF) concept; and using different disclosure forms for special Government employees (SGE).
12/20/1993
93x39: SF 450 Form and Excepted Investment Funds
Excepted investment funds (EIF) allow for reduced disclosure because these funds are widely held, widely diversified or publicly traded, and not self-directed. However, in some circumstances, EIF funds may not be as widely diversified and employees may have knowledge of the fund’s holdings, presenting a potential to violate 18 U.S.C. § 208.
12/15/1993
93x36: Privacy Concerns and Financial Disclosure Requirements of SF 450
The justifications for the submission of an SF 450 financial disclosure form are to detect potential matters which might be expected to present conflicts between an employee’s private financial interests and official responsibilities and to help employees avoid 18 U.S.C. § 208 violations.
12/09/1993
93x35: Privacy Concerns and Financial Disclosure Requirements of SF 450
The criminal conflict of interest statute, 18 U.S.C. § 208 is a primary justification for public and confidential financial disclosure requirements. The SF 450 form is limited to matters expected to present conflicts between an employee’s private financial interests and official responsibilities with careful weighing of privacy rights.
12/06/1993
DO-93-037: Elimination of bank account reporting and related matters on the SF 450 (Confidential Financial Disclosure Form)
OGE publishes a final rule eliminating the disclosure requirement for information about bank accounts and certain other nonconflicting assets on the SF 450.
12/06/1993
DO-93-036: 1992 Conflict of Interest Prosecution Survey
1992 Conflict of Interest Prosecution Survey
11/22/1993
DO-93-033: Agency Supplemental Standards Regulations
44 agencies notified OGE that they intend to issue agency supplemental regulations.
11/16/1993
93x34: Privacy of SF 450 Financial Disclosure Information and Waivers Issued to Advisory Committee Members under 18 U.S.C. § 208(b)(3)
Waiver determinations set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 208(d)(1) must be balanced against the nondisclosure mandate of SF 450 information set forth in 5 U.S.C. app. § 107(a)(2). Agencies may withhold from their waiver determinations any portions entitled to exemption from required release pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
11/15/1993
DO-93-031: Recent Settlements of Civil Penalty Actions Brought under 18 U.S.C. § 216(b)
Two recent civil penalty cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 216(b) were settled with the defendant in each case making a payment of $5,000 to the United States Treasurer.
11/10/1993
93x33: Requirements of SF 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report
The SF 450 form is limited to matters – including disclosure of a spouse’s financial information – which might be expected to present conflicts between an employee’s private financial interests and official responsibilities with careful weighing of privacy rights.
11/09/1993
93x32: Agency Determinations of the Applicability of 18 U.S.C. § 207
5 C.F.R. §§ 2637.101(c)(8) and 2637.201(e) and CACI., Inc. v. U.S. give weight to an agency’s opinion regarding the application of 18 U.S.C. § 207 to one of its former employees. Formal action is not necessarily required for something to be a "particular matter." Indeed, internal deliberations within an agency may be a "particular matter."
10/26/1993
93x31: Compensation Arrangements for Former Federal Government Employees and 18 U.S.C. § 203
18 U.S.C. § 203 does not restrict a compensation arrangement for former federal employees that is based on the estimated receipts from firm billings for services provided after Government service rather than the actual receivables of the firm (which may include fees for representations made while the partners were still Government employees).
10/22/1993
93x30: Government Employee Status
Usually federal compensation creates government employment status; however, commission members are not government employees where the statute establishing the commission states that its members shall not be considered employees. That the members are federally appointed for a term and counsel on policy does not alone create an employment status.
10/21/1993
93x29: Accepting Benefits and Privileges from a State University, 5 C.F.R. § 2635.203, and 5 C.F.R. § 2635.204
Under 5 C.F.R. §§ 2635.203 and 2635.204, employees of an agency with a facility located next to a State University, may not accept free borrowing privileges at the University libraries, discounts to University events where the rate is not broadly available to all government employees, or discounted shuttle rates below market value.
10/14/1993
93x28: Eligibility to Serve as a Fiduciary of a Blind Trust
Under 5 C.F.R § 2634.406(a)(2), eligibility to serve as a fiduciary of a qualified trust is limited to financial institutions, not more than 10 percent of which are owned or controlled by a single individual. The regulation fully conforms to 5 U.S.C. app. §102(f).
10/07/1993
93x27: Mutual Funds that Hold Stock in Companies Doing Business with an Employee’s Agency
No government-wide statute or regulation bars a federal employee from buying into a mutual fund that holds stock in companies doing business with the employee's agency; however, specific agencies may have such rules. 18 U.S.C. § 208(a) bars an employee from acting in a matter having a direct and predictable effect on a company in which he owns stock.
10/04/1993
93x26: Same Particular Matter and 18 U.S.C. § 207(a)
18 U.S.C. § 207(a) prohibits a former government employee from making communications to federal agencies and courts concerning funds to resettle a community when the employee was involved negotiating an related agreement while employed by the government. Section 207(a) does not bar post-employment communications to Congress or legislative staff.
10/01/1993
93x25: Covered Relationship with Private Attorney's Partner
An employee has a "covered relationship" with the employee's private attorney's partner under 5 C.F.R. § 2635.502, but that relationship does not automatically require recusal where the partner is representing a client before the employee's agency.
09/29/1993
DO-93-027: Court of Appeals Decision in Case Challenging Honoraria Ban
The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholds the district court injunction against the honoraria ban at 5 U.S.C. app. § 501(b). [Note: The honoraria ban was subsequently held unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in
U.S. v. National Treasury Employees Union, 513 U.S. 454 (1995).]
09/24/1993
93x24: Personal Use of Government E-Mail System
To determine if employee may use e-mail for non-government purposes, they must determine if the use is authorized, either by their own agency policies, or policies of the GSA.
09/17/1993
DO-93-026: Revised OGE Form 201 (1993 Edition)
OGE issues the 1993 version of the OGE Form 201, Request to Inspect or Receive Copies of SF 278 Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report or Other Covered Record.
09/17/1993
DO-93-025: Proposed amendment to confidential disclosure rule
OGE eliminates the requirement to disclose assets and income relating to accounts in depository financial institutions (banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, etc.), money market mutual funds and accounts (money market, not other mutual funds), and U.S. Government obligations (U.S. savings bonds and Treasury bills).
09/15/1993
93x23: Fundraising in a Personal Capacity and Prohibited Sources
An agency ethics official should look at several factors to determine whether an entity that is related to a corporation (a prohibited source) is a subsidiary controlled by that corporation for purposes of the Standards of Conduct and the fundraising prohibition in 5 C.F.R. § 2635.808(c).
09/03/1993
93x22: Council Members of the District of Columbia and 18 U.S.C. § 208
The statutory language of 18 U.S.C. § 208 makes clear that it applies to members of the Council of the District of Columbia.
08/30/1993
93x21: Employee Legal Defense Funds, 18 U.S.C. § 209, and Crandon v. U.S.
18 U.S.C. § 209 and Crandon v. U.S. do not bar payments from a legal fund on behalf of a Federal employee if persons unconnected to the employee's official duties oversee the fund, the donors' identities remain unknown, the money directly pays the legal fees, the donations are not from prohibited sources, and the employee does not solicit the funds.
08/27/1993
93x20: Re-Employment Contracts and 5 C.F.R. Part 2635
Under 18 U.S.C. § 208(a) and 5 C.F.R. part 2635, an executive branch employee is not prohibited from retaining reemployment rights with a former private employer; however, the employee may not participate personally and substantially in a particular matter that would affect that former employer, unless the employee has obtained a statutory waiver.
08/25/1993
93x19: Answers to Recurring Questions about Fundraising
Fundraising issues covered in this opinion include participating in fundraising as part of one's official duties, complying with the Combined Federal Campaign regulations, and using one's official title.
08/25/1993
DO-93-024: Answers to Recurring Questions about Fundraising
Fundraising issues covered in this opinion include participating in fundraising as part of one's official duties, complying with the Combined Federal Campaign regulations, and using one's official title.
08/11/1993
93x18: Adequacy of Agency’s Finding of “Agency Interest” in a Widely Attended Gathering
The OGE said such free attendance at meetings would probably be prohibited by 5 C.F.R. § 2635.202, unless allowed as a widely attended gathering, for which the OGE determined this did not qualify. The OGE determined that a blanket determination that meetings of this time are in the agency's interest was inadequate.
08/09/1993
DO-93-023: Attorney General's Statement of Covered Activities Required by Section 4(d) of Executive Order 12834
Clinton Administration Ethics Pledge--The Attorney General issues a Statement of Covered Activities describing the activities on behalf of a foreign government or foreign political party that will require registration. [Note: Executive Order 12834 has been revoked.]
08/04/1993
93x17: Post-Government Employment Activities with Nonprofit Organization with Same Goals as Agency
18 U.S.C. § 207 doesn't prohibit employee from serving on the board and may fully participate absent an appearance before the government. The OGE also determined that the nonprofit's program is not the same as the agency's program, but the employee should be careful about coordinating between the two.
07/22/1993
93x16: Discussion of Meaning of "or otherwise determined by the agency," in 5 C.F.R. § 2635.808(b)
Questions discussed: (1) if allowing fundraising on official time must be from statute; (2) if fundraising on official time can be done without statutory or regulatory authority; (3) must the determination be by the head of the agency; (4) when allowed to fundraise on behalf of a nonprofit; (5) whether this clause eliminates the need for a waiver.
06/28/1993
93x15: Widely Attended Gathering Exception and Social Events
An employee may receive free admission to attend a widely attended gathering (which must be of mutual interest to a number of parties) of a purely social nature of the agency designee determines the employee's attendance is in the best interest of the agency. Also discussed specific press dinner events.
06/24/1993
93x14: Status of Individuals Appointed to a Federal Advisory Committee
Individuals appointed to represent a group in an advisory role are not considered federal employees for purposes of the conflict of interest statutes. They are also not required to file financial disclosure forms.
06/10/1993
93x13: Applicability of 18 U.S.C. § 207(c) Restrictions; Post-Employment Activity; ES-5 Pay Scale
The OGE Director can grant a waiver to 18 U.S.C. § 207(c) restrictions if the restrictions impose undue hardship on the requesting agency, and that granting a waiver would not create the potential for undue influence or unfair advantage. An exemption was never requested of the agency, and is not applied for individuals.
06/03/1993
93x12: Validity of Waiver Issued Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 208(b)
The OGE determined that when a waiver was offered by Agency A to members of an office, and that office was later transferred to Agency B, Agency B had the authority to deny continuation of that waiver.
05/07/1993
93x11: Applicability of 26 U.S.C. § 1043 to Sale by a Government Official
Discusses rules for divestiture, contemplated sale of asset management company, and states that a divestiture cannot leave the official with a substantive stake in the company which is subject to the future performance of its business affairs, as that would provide an unfair or unintended benefit to the government official.
04/21/1993
93x10: One-Year Ban in 18 U.S.C. § 207(c)
For purposes of applying the restriction of 18 U.S.C. § 207(c), the fact that the employee holds a position that has been held by persons paid at ES-4 is irrelevant. The critical factor is not the position, but the employee's ES level, i.e., the employee's basic rate of pay.
03/23/1993
93x9: Application of Honoraria Ban to Compensation Received for Trial Testimony
The OGE stated that since the honoraria ban was statutorily created by Congress, and did not include certain exceptions for teaching, speaking and writing outside of a federal employees official capacity (though many criticized this lack of exception), the employee was required to return an honoraria he received.
03/12/1993
93x8: Meaning of “Targeted Solicitation” in Fundraising Provision of Standards of Conduct
Because the group being solicited were not grouped based on their connection to the agency, even though some in the group would individually be considered prohibited sources, this solicitation would not be considered targeted solicitation under 5 C.F.R. § 2635.808. Also discusses free admission to event, and fundraising in official capacity.
03/10/1993
93x7: $20 De Minimis Exception to Gift Prohibition
OGE discusses concerns about the de minimis exception, and how any risks of unethical behavior were considered and minimized during the process of approval of the exception.
03/10/1993
93x6: Prohibition Against Using Government Resources to Facilitate Meeting of Private Organization
The Standards of Conduct (5 C.F.R. part 2635) prohibits executive branch employees from personally using public office for private gain, and may not use federal property for other than authorized activities. Decisions as to exceptions to this rule are within the Department's discretion.
03/04/1993
93x5: Prohibited Holdings Rule of Agency and Employee Retention of Prohibited Holding during Probationary Period
An employee may during the probationary period retain conflicting interests and simply recuse himself from matters involving those conflicting interests, so long as it does not conflict with agency supplementary regulations.
02/24/1993
93x4: Applicability of 18 U.S.C. § 207(b); Post-Employment Activities
The OGE determined that the reports would not likely run afoul of 18 U.S.C. § 207(b), but that the former federal employee should be careful not to disclose unreleased information he obtained while working for the government.
02/16/1993
93x3: General Discussion of the Honoraria Ban
Discusses how the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 restricted federal employees from receiving certain honoraria for speaking, articles, or appearances, and how the regulations in 5 C.F.R. parts 2635 and 2636 may affect the federal employee and his ability to receive an honoraria.
01/22/1993
93x2: President Clinton's Executive Order Entitled "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees"
The EO requires certain appointees to sign an ethics pledge establishing a contractual commitment regarding their activities after they have been employed as "senior appointees" or participated personally and substantially in trade negotiations. Memo discusses details of who must sign, what to sign, when it must be signed, waiver and enforcement provisions. [Note: Executive Order 12834 has been revoked.]
01/15/1993
DA-01-15-93: Applicability of the Clinton Administration ethics guidelines
The Clinton Administration ethics pledges will not apply to individuals in career positions, regardless of their pay grade, nor to the non-career personnel of the former G.H.W. Bush Administration who may be asked to stay on after January 1993 for a brief period. [Note: Executive Order 12834 has been revoked.]
01/05/1993
93x1: Obligation to Report Violations of Federal Statute
The OGE believes an obligation to report "waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption" encompasses an obligation to report a violation of a Federal statute, such as the Computer Security Act of 1987. However they do not interpret the Executive Order provides authority to require a written requirement.