Two OGE Items

OGE Director Ric Cusick recently sent out an interesting memo on the necessity to put ethics advice in writing on request:

REQUESTS FOR WRITTEN ADVICE

I am writing to remind ethics officials to be responsive to requests for advice, including written advice, from employees. Recent complaints have been brought to my attention that some agency ethics officials have declined to provide written ethics advice requested by employees. OGE certainly understands the competing demands on the time and resources of agency ethics offices. Nevertheless, employees understandably may have good reason for requesting a written response that memorializes ethics advice. Depending on the circumstances, written responses need not be particularly formal or extensive, and, for example, e-mail often will suffice. See "Documenting Ethics Advice," DAEOgram DO-05-019. Of course, it is appropriate and often advisable to require employees themselves to submit their requests, including all material facts, in writing.

Also from OGE: List of Agency Ethics Program Reviews Planned for the First Six Months of Calendar Year 2008.