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June 30, 2008
ICE attorney arrested for accepting bribes
An attorney for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and his wife were arrested on suspicion of accepting thousands of dollars from both legal and illegal immigrants in exchange for immigration benefits, authorities said. See full article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080627/ap_on_re_us/immigration_corruption
Posted by IEC Team | Permalink
Accessing OGE Mailing List Archives
The size of OGE's OGE-ETHICSINFO-L mailing list (2700+ subscribers) demonstrates that there is widespread understanding of the value of this key resource. For those not already enrolled, the OGE web site has directions for subscribing.
Many subscribers may not know of a subsidiary benefit: Access to the mailing list's archives, via a search engine or selecting dates.
Posted by IEC Team in GAO, Web Resources | Permalink
VA Attorney Vacancy GS-11-14
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an enthusiastic attorney to join their staff at the GS 11-14 level. VA's mission, serving those who have served our nation, attracts highly-motivated public servants. If you are interested in working hard at work worth doing, and have at least one-year experience in Government ethics, please contact us. The job announcement can be found here:
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=73094920
Posted by IEC Team in Job Announcements | Permalink
OGE Vacancies (2): Attorney GS-13-15
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics is seeking two attorneys to join its Office of General Counsel and Legal Policy. The Office of General Counsel and Legal Policy provides oral and written advice to DAEOs and ethics counselors throughout the Executive Branch on a wide variety of topics of interest to the ethics community; prepares DAEOgrams and advisory opinions; makes presentations to Federal agencies and other organizations; works with the White House and Executive Branch agencies in reviewing candidates for positions requiring Senate confirmation; drafts legislation and regulations, formulates ethics and conflict of interest policy for the Executive Branch; and assists the OGE Director in the administration of the agency.
Successful candidates should have familiarity with Federal conflicts of interest and ethics laws and possess strong writing and presentation skills. Experience working in an Executive Branch agency ethics program is highly desirable. These vacancies will be filled at the GS-13 to GS-15 level depending on experience and qualifications. Please contact Don W. Fox, General Counsel, or Walter M. Shaub, Jr., Deputy General Counsel, at (202) 482-9292 for additional information. If you are ready to join a collegial and dynamic team of professionals dedicated to public service, please send a resume or optional form 612 along with proof of good standing in a Bar of a state or territory of the United States to Marilyn L. Bennett, Program Analyst, U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Suite 500, 1201 New York Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 or by e-mail at recruit@oge.gov.
Posted by IEC Team in Job Announcements | Permalink
June 27, 2008
NIH GS-15 Vacancy
The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, is currently recruiting for a Supervisory Ethics Program Specialist, GS-301-15. The incumbent will serve as the Deputy Ethics Counselor (DEC) and Director of the Ethics Office. Please share this vacancy announcement with Federal employees who might be interested and eligible in filling this critical position within the NIDDK. The USAJOBS announcement number is HHS/NIH-2008-2812. Below is the link to the complete vacancy announcement.
Posted by IEC Team in Job Announcements | Permalink
Campaign Involvement by Senior Officials
An HHS memo reposted at the NIH Ethics web site entitled "On the Road" During the Campaign Season: A practical Guide to Political Activity Restrictions (OGC, May 2008) has advice on what is and is not permissible for senior employees.
Updated June 30, 2008: Bad link corrected.
Posted by IEC Team in Hatch Act | Permalink
June 26, 2008
Free Golf Leads to Trouble
Government Executive reports that accepting a free round of golf in 2006 has become an ethics issue for a Department of Justice official. The official allegedly gave a $500,000 grant to the foundation that hosted him, rather than better qualified applicants.
Posted by IEC Team in Issues: Gifts | Permalink
June 25, 2008
2 Plead Guilty in Army Bribery Scheme
Army contracting officer pled guilty to involvement in $9M procurement scandal. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/24/AR2008062401341_pf.html
Posted by IEC Team in Procurement | Permalink
New post-employment regulation published in Federal Register
This final rule expands OGE regulatory guidance on § 207. It gives more comprehensive guidance on application of § 207, makes minor modifications to guidance and processing under 2641, and supercedes obsolete regulations. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-13394.pdf
Posted by IEC Team in Issues: Post Employment | Permalink
June 24, 2008
Spousal Conflict of Interest Dooms DISA Appointment
News reports say the Department of Defense has withdrawn the nomination of Rear Adm. Elizabeth Hight to be the next director of the Defense Information Systems Agency. Her husband's job with Northrop Grumman was perceived to be a conflict of interest. The Tech Insider columnist concludes:
DISA purchases hundreds of millions of dollars worth of information technology hardware and services every year, the kind of hardware and services that Northrop Grumman sells. This seems like a slam-dunk definition of a conflict of interest, despite what people say are Hight's rock-solid qualifications. It's hard to see Hight and Salisbury not having to explain over and over again the uncomfortable relationship to the IT industry and even the Hill.
Posted by IEC Team in Issues: Conflicts of Interest | Permalink
