OGE Update

OGE has issued a number of helpful items recently, including:

• A guide on drafting ethics agreements for Presidential nominees for positions requiring Senate confirmation, and an explanation of when to seek additional information from PAS filers. (Bottom line: "Accordingly, please err on the side of seeking clarification or additional information from a PAS filer if you have any doubts about the adequacy of a form submitted for review."
• "Commitment and action by agency leadership is the keystone for ensuring the integrity of an agency's ethical culture and for fostering public confidence in the decision-making processes of government." It's hard to argue with that. In support of this idea, OGE has promulgated a "Leadership Initiative" document outlining lots of good ideas about ways in which agency management should support ethics programs.
• A call for suggested topics and speakers for the September 16-19, 2008 National Government Ethics Conference, complete with online submission form. The deadline for suggestions is March 17, 2008.
• A statement of policy concerning NARA's liberalization of electronic records practices (i.e., don't destroy paper copies of financial reporting documents, as they may be needed to support disciplinary action).
• Ordering information for a new pamphlet “Working With Government Contractors:  What You Need to Know as a Federal Employee Who Works With Government Contractors.”  The booklet provides a general introduction to some of the most common ethics issues that arise for Government employees who work with Government contractors.
• Ordering information for a booklet entitled, "The Qualified Trust Program."  The booklet provides information on addressing conflicts of interest by establishing a qualified trust.
• Information on OGE's plans to implement GSA’s Raising of Foreign Gifts “Minimal Value” through a future OGE rulemaking.

Note: We publish reminders of OGE issuances here as a convenience to our members, but strongly recommend that everyone subscribe to the OGE mailing list as well.

Updated: Feb. 25 to correct URL to information on Foreign Gifts minimal value rule.