IEC Journal

Examples of Gift Ethics Issues

Writing in the Washington Post, Al Kamen's discussion of VIP-level gifts from foreign governments provides good teaching examples. Who would have guessed that a Singapore official would give President George W. Bush a "Creative Zen MP3 Player and an OSIM uSqueez Calf and Foot Massager."

Saudi Gift Issues

Thanks to Karen Santoro for drawing to our attention a Politico article about practical issues involved in handling expensive ceremonial gifts from the Saudi government to U.S. officials.

GSA Final Rule (FMR): Appraisal of Foreign Gifts

General Services Administration amended the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) to revise its policy on appraisals of foreign gifts and  decorations, and to encourage agencies to use various methods in obtaining appraisals, including reliable retail Web sites.  See http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-562.pdf.

More Abramoff Fallout

An AP story indicates:

The government says Todd Boulanger gave government aides "a stream of things of value," including all-expense-paid travel, tickets to professional sports and concerts and nights out at expensive restaurants, to reward and influence actions that would benefit his clients. He was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Talking Points Memo has an archive of posts about the newest person being charged, Todd Boulanger.

Holiday Reminder

A timely reminder today can save a ton of headaches later. Here's a holiday reminder message on gifts and widely attended gatherings that one agency recently distributed to all hands via its intranet.

DOD SOCO Enlightment on Widely Attended Gatherings

The newest SOCO Advisory is a "special edition" on the topic "Application of the Widely Attended Gathering (WAG) Gift Exception to Invitations to Play Golf or Attend Sporting, Recreational or Entertainment Events.”

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.

Skybox Lobbying

In Iowa, the big business section topic is corn. In Seattle, it's the high tech industry. In Washington, a different industry dominates: government and lobbyists.

The Washington Post reported recently on a Washington Redskins marketing ploy. A handout for salesmen titled "Government Ethics Rules re: Suite Tickets" notes that "Government officials/employees can accept invitations to your Suite" through "Suite Guest Passes: These passes allow recipients who already have a ticket to the game to drop by an Executive Level Suite for a short visit." After discussing the use of such suites by House/Senate employees, the brochure goes on to talk more broadly about civil service employees:

Limited View/standing room only Tickets: These tickets cost $25. A government employee who bought such a ticket from the Redskins could accept a Suite Guest Pass (referenced above) from you to visit your suite without reimbursing you.

The Post story notes that several ethics experts have reservations about the practice described in the sales literature.

An "Understanding" Enough for Bribery Conviction

The most recent issue of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's newsletter, The Informer, summarizes U.S. v. Ganim, a case interpreting the quid pro quo element of the bribery statute:

The specific intent element (quid pro quo / this for that) for bribery, extortion, and honest services mail fraud crimes may be satisfied by showing that a government official received a benefit in exchange for his promise to perform specific official acts or to perform such acts as the opportunities arise. It is sufficient if the defendant understood he was expected as a result of the payment to exercise particular kinds of influence on behalf of the payor as specific opportunities arose.

Update on Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act

Today's Federal Register confirms GSA's change to the minimal value rule used for interpreting the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, first reported here last month.