IEC Journal

Washington Post reports on Smithsonian Official extensive Travel

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/27/AR2007122702515.html?hpid=topnews

Ethics Reforms in China

Current news items illustrate a topic of OGE Director Ric Cusick's talk at the most recent IEC meeting: A growing international emphasis on ethics in government. Chinese news stories explain a new tightening of controls on law enforcement and the judiciary and highlight an auditor's discovery of the misuse of $937 million in public funds.

Reuters reports that a web site established this month by China's new National Bureau of Corruption Prevention received so many visitors that it crashed. It is now running again. A Washington Post story provided background information:

The party's senior leaders, including President Hu Jintao, have identified official malfeasance as one of China's most worrisome problems, warning that so many people are becoming alienated that the party's hold on power could be threatened. The problem has become particularly acute as party officials increasingly land on the rich side of the yawning gap between rich and poor.

He “sold his government office for personal gain"

Former Federal immigration employee is sentenced to his part in a green card scam.  http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=4&id=17418

Comments on Contractor Code of Ethics Proposal

January 14, 2008 is the deadline for commenting on the proposal to require contractors to adopt codes of ethics and report wrongdoing.  Although the proposal for a government-wide rule is basically the same as the rule already successfully adopted by the National Reconnaissance Office, some contractors are reportedly opposing the new measure. The proposal was discussed here previously.

Newsletter With A Light Touch

USDA's Ethics Newsletter illustrates how a light tone and good graphics can go a long way toward making ethics information palatable to employees. The most recent issue features a Dear Abby-style Q & A featuring "Spotless the Wonder Dog," a brief story on the execution of an unethical Chinese official, and more. It's worth checking out.

Contractors Managing Contractors

A Federal Times story on an IG report about federal contractors managing other contractors in Iraq helps illustrate why OGE Director Ric Cusick considers contractor conduct a significant issue:

The Defense and State departments doled out nearly $42 million in bonuses to five contractors managing other contractors in Iraq, but they had scant documentation to justify the bonuses, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) auditors found.

With little and even contradictory information on the $527.5 million worth of contract support contracts, "SIGIR was unable to conclude how well the approach of using contractors to manage other contractors worked," the Oct. 29 report said.

Independent House Ethics Watchdog?

The IEC focus is on Executive Branch ethics developments, but we note that the House of Representatives is considering establishment of an independent ethics watchdog.

Senate Passes Whistleblower Bill

The Senate has unanimously approved a bill to strengthen whistleblower protection. President Bush has objected to a potential increase in frivilous complaints, and possible adverse impact on national security, but since the House of representatives passed similar legislation in March by a 331-94 vote, a veto-proof majority looks likely. Government Executive quotes Sen. Akaka:

If federal employees fear reprisal for blowing the whistle, we not only fail to protect the whistleblower, we fail taxpayers, our national security needs and our public health. Encouraging whistleblowers by protecting their rights is a necessary step in making a better America.

A Government Accountability Project press release has more.

OGE Recruiting General Counsel & Deputy

Due to retirements, OGE is recruiting an SES-level General Counsel and an SES-level Deputy Counsel. Closing date for both positions is January 16.

Training Resources On the Internet

We hope to update our list of training resources available on the Internet annually, with the next update due in January 2008. Please contact us if you are aware of training resources not listed. We like to make this list as comprehensive as possible.

Note: Our last post re: the OGE conference on financial disclosure inadvertently had a few words garbled. A corrected version has been posted.