(a) These regulations establish procedures for imposing sanctions against a former employee for violating the post-employment restrictions of the conflict of interest laws and regulations set forth in 18 U.S.C. 207 and 5 CFR Part 737. These procedures are established pursuant to the requirement in 18 U.S.C. 207(j). The General Counsel is responsible for resolving questions on the legal interpretation of 18 U.S.C. 207 or regulations issued thereunder and for advising employees on these provisions.

(b) For purposes of this subpart, (1) “Former employee” means a former Government employee as defined in 5 CFR 737.3(a)(4) who had served in the Department;

(2) “Lesser included sanctions” means sanctions of the same type but more limited scope as the proposed sanction; thus a bar on communication with an operating unit is a lesser included sanction of a proposed bar on communication with the Department and a bar on communication for one year is a lesser included sanction of a proposed five year bar;

(3) “Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary for Administration or designee;

(4) “Director” means the Director for Personnel and Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, or designee;

(5) “Inspector General” and “General Counsel” include any persons designated by them to perform their functions under this subpart; and

(6) “Days” means calendar days except that a dead-line which falls on a weekend or holiday shall be extended to the next working day.

(a) If an employee has information which indicates that a former employee has violated any provisions of 18 U.S.C. 207 or regulations thereunder, that employee shall report such information to the Inspector General.

(b) Upon receiving information as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section from an employee or any other person, the Inspector General, upon a determination that it is nonfrivolous, shall expeditiously provide the information to the Director, Office of Government Ethics, and to the Criminal Division, Department of Justice. The Inspector General shall coordinate any investigation under this subpart with the Department of Justice, unless the Department of Justice informs the Inspector General that it does not intend to initiate criminal prosecution.

(c) All investigations under this subpart shall be conducted in such a way as to protect the privacy of former employees. To ensure this, to the extent reasonable and practical, any information received as a result of an investigation shall remain confidential except as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subpart, including the conduct of an investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder, or as may be required to be released by law.

(d) The Inspector General shall report the findings of the investigation to the Director.

If the Director determines, after an investigation by the Inspector General, that there is reasonable cause to believe that a former employee has violated post-employment statutes or regulations, the Director shall initiate administrative proceedings under this subpart by proposing sanctions against the former employee and by providing notice to the former employee as set forth in § 0.735-45.

(a) The Director shall notify the former employee of the proposed disciplinary action in writing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any means which gives actual notice or is reasonably calculated to give actual notice. Notice shall be considered received if sent to the last known address of the former employee.

(b) The notice shall include:

(1) A statement of allegations and the basis thereof sufficiently detailed to enable the former employee to prepare a defense;

(2) A statement that the former employee is entitled to a hearing if requested within 20 days from date of notice;

(3) An explanation of the method by which the former employee may request a hearing under this subpart including the name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact if there are further questions;

(4) A statement that the former employee has the right to submit documentary evidence to the Director if a hearing is not requested and an explanation of the method of submitting such evidence and the date by which it must be received; and

(5) A statement of the sanctions which have been proposed.

(a) Examiner. (1) Upon timely receipt of a request for a hearing, the Director shall refer the matter to the Assistant Secretary who shall appoint an examiner to conduct the hearing and render an initial decision.

(2) The examiner shall be impartial, shall not be an individual who has participated in any manner in the decision to initiate the proceedings, and shall not have been employed under the immediate supervision of the former employee or have been employed under a common immediate supervisor. The examiner shall be admitted to practice law and have suitable experience and training to conduct the hearing, reach a determination and render an initial decision in an equitable manner.

(b) Time, date, and place. The hearing shall be conducted at a reasonable time, date, and place as set by the examiner. In setting the date, the examiner shall give due regard to the need for both parties to adequately prepare for the hearing and the importance of expeditiously resolving allegations that may be damaging to the former employee's reputation.

(c) Former employee's rights. At a hearing, the former employee shall have the right:

(1) To represent himself or herself or to be represented by counsel,

(2) To introduce and examine witnesses and to submit physical evidence,

(3) To confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses,

(4) To present oral argument, and

(5) To receive a transcript or recording of the proceedings, on request.

(d) Procedure and evidence. In a hearing under this subpart, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure do not apply but the examiner shall exclude irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence and all testimony shall be taken under oath or affirmation. The examiner may make such orders and determinations regarding the admissibility of evidence, conduct of examination and cross-examination, and similar matters which the examiner deems necessary or appropriate to ensure orderliness in the proceedings and fundamental fairness to the parties. There shall be no discovery unless agreed to by the parties and ordered by the examiner. The hearing shall not be open to the public unless the former employee or the former employee's representative waives the right to a closed hearing, in which case the examiner shall determine whether the hearing will be open to the public.

(e) Ex-parte communications. The former employee, the former employee's representative, and the agency representative shall not make any ex-parte communications to the examiner concerning the merits of the allegations against the former employee prior to the issuance of the initial decision.

(f) Initial decision. (1) The proposed sanctions shall be sustained in an initial decision upon a determination by the examiner that the preponderance of the evidence indicated a violation of post-employment statutes or regulations.

(2) The examiner shall issue an initial decision which is based exclusively on the transcript of testimony and exhibits together with all papers and requests filed in connection with the proceeding and which sets forth all findings of fact and conclusions of law relevant to the matter at issue.

(3) The initial decision shall become final thirty days after issuance if there has been no appeal filed under § 0.735-48.

(a) If the former employee does not request a hearing in a timely manner, the Director shall make an initial decision on the basis of information compiled in the investigation, and any submissions made by the former employee.

(b) The proposed sanction or a lesser included sanction shall be imposed if the record indicates a violation of post-employment statutes or regulations by a preponderance of the evidence.

(c) The initial decision shall become final thirty days after issuance if there has been no appeal filed under § 0.735-48.

(a) Within 30 days after issuance of the initial decision, either party may appeal the initial decision or any portion thereof to the Assistant Secretary. The opposing party shall have 20 days to respond.

(b) If an appeal is filed, the Assistant Secretary shall issue a final decision which shall be based solely on the record, or portions thereof cited by the parties to limit issues, and the appeal and response. The Assistant Secretary shall also decide whether to impose the proposed sanction or a lesser included sanction.

(c) If the final decision modifies or reverses the initial decision, it shall state findings of fact and conclusions of law which differ from the initial decision.

(a) If there has been a final determination that the former employee has violated post-employment statutes or regulations, the Director shall impose, subject to the authority of the Assistant Secretary under § 0.735-48(b), the sanction which was proposed in the notice to the former employee or a lesser included sanction.

(b) Sanctions which may be imposed include:

(1) Prohibiting the former employee from making, on behalf of any other person except the United States, any formal or informal appearance before or, with the intent to influence, any oral or written communication to the Department or any organizational sub-unit thereof on any matter of business for a period not to exceed five years; and

(2) Other appropriate disciplinary action.

(c) The Director may enforce the sanctions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section by directing any or all employees to refuse to participate in any such appearance or to accept any such communication. As a method of enforcement, the Director may establish a list of former employees against whom sanctions have been imposed.

Any former employee found to have violated 18 U.S.C. 207, or regulations issued thereunder, by a final administrative decision under this subpart may seek judicial review of the administrative determination.

There are numerous statutes pertaining to the ethical and other conduct of Federal employees, far too many to attempt to list them all. Consequently, only the more important ones of general applicability are referred to in this appendix.

.01 Title 18, U.S.C., section 201, prohibits anyone from bribing or attempting to bribe a public official by corruptly giving, offering, or promising him or any person selected by him, anything of value with intent (a) to influence any official act by him, (b) to influence him to commit or allow any fraud on the United States, or (c) to induce him to do or omit to do any act in violation of his lawful duty. As used in section 201, “Public officials” is broadly defined to include officers, employees, and other persons carrying on activities for or on behalf of the Government.

.02 Section 201 also prohibits a public official's solicitation or acceptance of, or agreement to take, a bribe. In addition, it forbids offers or payments to, and solicitations or receipt by, a public official of anything of value “for or because of” any official act performed or to be performed by him.

.03 Section 201 further prohibits the offering to or the acceptance by a witness of anything of value involving intent to influence his testimony at a trial, Congressional hearing, or agency proceeding. A similar provision applies to witnesses “for or because of” testimony given or to be given. The provisions summarized in this section do not preclude lawful witness fees, travel and subsistence expenses, or reasonable compensation for expert testimony.

.01 Title 18, U.S.C., section 203, prohibits an officer or employee from receiving compensation for services rendered for others before a Federal department or agency in matters in which the Government is a party or is interested.

.02 Section 203 applies to a special Government employee as follows:

a. If the special Government employee has served in the Department of Commerce more than 60 days during the preceding period of 365 days, section 203 applies to him only in relation to a particular matter involving a specific party or parties (1) in which he has at any time participated personally and substantially in his governmental capacity, or (2) which is pending in the Department of Commerce; or

b. If the special Government employee has served in the Department no more than 60 days during the preceding period of 365 days, section 203 applies to him only in relation to a particular matter involving a specific party or parties in which he has at any time participated personally and substantially in his governmental capacity.

.03 Section 203 does not apply to a retired officer of the uniformed services while not on active duty and not otherwise an officer or employee of the United States.

.01 Title 18, U.S.C., section 205, prohibits an officer or employee, otherwise than in the performance of his official duties, from:

a. Acting as agent or attorney for prosecuting any claim against the United States, or receiving any gratuity, or any share of or interest in any such claim in consideration of assistance in the prosecution of such claims; or

b. Acting as agent or attorney for anyone before any Government agency, court, or officer in connection with any matter in which the United States is a party or has a direct and substantial interest.

.02 Section 205 applies to a special Government employee as follows:

a. If the special Government employee has served in the Department more than 60 days during the preceding period of 365 days, section 205 applies to him only in relation to a particular matter involving a specific party or parties (1) in which he has at any time participated personally and substantially in his governmental capacity, or (2) which is pending in the Department of Commerce; or

b. If the special Government employee has served in the Department no more than 60 days during the preceding period of 365 days, section 205 applies to him only in relation to a particular matter involving a specific party or parties in which he has at any time participated personally and substantially in his governmental capacity.

.03 Section 205 does not preclude:

a. An employee, if not inconsistent with faithful performance of his duties, from acting without compensation as agent or attorney for any person who is the subject of disciplinary, loyalty, or other personnel administration proceedings, in connection with those proceedings; or

b. An employee from giving testimony under oath or from making statements required to be made under penalty for perjury or contempt.

.04 Sections 203 and 205 do not preclude:

a. An employee from acting as agent or attorney for his parents, spouse, child, or any person for whom, or for any estate for which, he is serving as guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, or other personal fiduciary, except in those matters in which he has participated personally and substantially as a Government employee or which are the subject of his official responsibility, provided the head of the operating unit concerned approves; or

b. A special Government employee from acting as agent or attorney for another person in the performance of work under a grant by, or a contract with, or for the benefit of, the United States, provided the head of the operating unit concerned, with the approval of the appropriate program Secretarial Officer, shall certify in writing that the national interest so requires, and such certification shall be published in the Federal Register.

.05 Section 205 does not apply to a retired officer of the uniformed services while not on active duty and not otherwise an officer or employee of the United States.

.01 Title 18 U.S.C., section 207:

a. Provides that a former Government officer or employee, including a former special Government employee, shall be permanently barred from acting as agent or attorney for anyone other than the United States in any matter in which the United States is a party or is interested and in which he participated personally and substantially in a governmental capacity;

b. Bars a former Government officer or employee, including a special Government employee, of an agency, for a period of 1 year after his employment with it has ceased, from appearing personally as agent or attorney for another person before any court or agency in connection with a matter in which the Government has an interest and which was under his official responsibility at the employing agency (e.g., Department of Commerce) at any time within 1 year prior to the end of such responsibility; and

c. Prohibits a partner of a person employed by the Government, including a special Government employee, from acting as agent or attorney for anyone other than the United States in matters in which the employee participates or has participated personally and substantially for the Government or which are the subject of his official responsibility.

.02 Subparagraphs .01a. and .01b. of this section do not prevent a former officer or employee or special Government employee who has outstanding scientific or technical qualifications from acting as attorney or agent or appearing personally before the Department of Commerce in connection with a particular matter in a scientific or technological field if the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Science and Technology shall make a certification in writing, published in the Federal Register, that the national interest would be served by such action or appearance by the former officer or employee.

.01 Title 18, U.S.C., section 208 prohibits an officer or employee, including a special Government employee, from participating personally and substantially in a governmental capacity in any matter in which, to his knowledge, he, his spouse, minor child, partner, organization in which he is serving as officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee, or any person or organization with whom he is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment, has a financial interest.

.02 Section 208 does not apply:

a. If the officer or employee first advises the head of the operating unit concerned of the nature and circumstances of the matter involved, makes full disclosure of the financial interest, and receives in advance a written determination made by such official, with the approval of the appropriate program Secretarial Officer, that the interest is not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services which the Government may expect from the officer or employee; or

b. If, by general rule or regulation published in the Federal Register, the financial interest has been exempted from the requirements of section 208 as being too remote or too inconsequential to affect the integrity of Government officers' or employees' services.

.01 Title 18, U.S.C., section 209, prohibits:

a. An officer or employee from receiving any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation of salary, as compensation for his services as an officer or employee of the United States from any source other than the Government of the United States, except as may be contributed out of the treasury of a State, county, or municipality; and

b. Any person or organization from paying, contributing to, or supplementing the salary of an officer or employee under circumstances which would make its receipt a violation of subparagraph .01a. of this section.

.02 Section 209:

a. Does not prevent a Government employee from continuing to participate in a bona fide pension or other welfare plan maintained by a former employer;

b. Exempts special Government employees and employees serving the Government without compensation, and grants a corresponding exemption to any outside person paying compensation to such individuals; and

c. Does not prohibit the payment or acceptance of sums under the terms of the Government Employees Training Act.

“Code of Ethics for Government Service,” House Concurrent Resolution 175, 85th Congress, 2d Session, 72 Stat. B12 of July 11, 1958, which reads as follows:

“Any Person in Government Service Should:

“Put loyalty to the highest moral principles and to country above loyalty to persons, party, or Government department.

“UPHOLD the Constitution, laws, and legal regulations of the United States and all governments therein and never be a party to their evasion.

“GIVE a full day's labor for a full day's pay; giving to the performance of his duties his earnest effort and best thought.

“SEEK to find and employ more efficient and economical ways of getting tasks accomplished.

“NEVER discriminate unfairly by the dispensing of special favors or privileges to anyone, whether for remuneration or not; and never accept for himself or his family, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by reasonable persons as influencing the performance of his governmental duties.

“MAKE no private promises of any kind binding upon the duties of office, since a Government employee has no private word which can be binding on public duty.

“ENGAGE in no business with the Government, either directly or indirectly, which is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of his governmental duties.

“NEVER use any information coming to him confidentially in the performance of governmental duties as a means for making private profit.

“EXPOSE corruption wherever discovered.

“UPHOLD these principles, ever conscious that public office is a public trust.”

.01 The prohibition against lobbying with appropriated funds (18 U.S.C. 1913) reads as follows:

“No part of the money appropriated by any enactment of Congress shall, in the absence of express authorization by Congress, be used directly or indirectly to pay for any personal service, advertisement, telegram, telephone, letter, printed or written matter, or other device, intended or designed to influence in any manner a Member of Congress, to favor or oppose, by vote or otherwise, any legislation or appropriation by Congress, whether before or after the introduction of any bill or resolution proposing such legislation or appropriation, but this shall not prevent officers or employees of the United States or of its departments or agencies from communicating to Members of Congress on the request of any Member or to Congress, through the proper official channels, requests for legislation or appropriations which they deem necessary for the efficient conduct of the public business.

“Whoever, being an officer or employee of the United States or of any department or agency thereof, violates or attempts to violate this section, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both; and after notice and hearing by the superior officer vested with the power of removing him, shall be removed from office or employment.”

.02 The prohibitions against disloyalty and striking (5 U.S.C. 7311, 18 U.S.C. 1918). An individual may not accept or hold a position in the Government of the United States if he:

a. Advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government;

b. Is a member of an organization that he knows advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government;

c. Participates in a strike, or asserts the right to strike, against the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia; or

d. Is a member of an organization of employees of the Government of the United States or of individuals employed by the government of the District of Columbia that he knows asserts the right to strike against the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia.

.03 The prohibition against employment of a member of a Communist organization (50 U.S.C. 784).

.04 The prohibitions against (a) the disclosure of classified information (18 U.S.C. 798, 50 U.S.C. 788); and (b) the disclosure of confidential information (18 U.S.C. 1905). Each employee who has access to classified information, e.g., confidential, secret, or top secret, or to a restricted area is responsible for knowing and for complying strictly with the security regulations of the Department of Commerce. (See Administrative Order 207-2.)

.05 The prohibition against employment in the competitive civil service of any person who habitually uses intoxicating beverages to excess (5 U.S.C. 7352).

.06 The prohibition against the misuse of a Government vehicle (31 U.S.C. 638a(c)). No employee may willfully use or authorize the use of a Government-owned or Government-leased passenger motor vehicle or aircraft for other than official purposes.

.07 The prohibition against the use of the franking privilege to avoid payment of postage on private mail (18 U.S.C. 1719).

.08 The prohibition against the use of deceit in an examination or personnel action in connection with Government employment (18 U.S.C. 1917).

.09 The prohibition against fraud or false statements in a Government matter (18 U.S.C. 1001). An employee in connection with an official matter shall not knowingly and willfully conceal or cover up a material fact or falsify official papers or documents.

.10 The prohibition against mutilating or destroying a public record (18 U.S.C. 2071). No employee may conceal, remove, mutilate, or destroy Government documents or records except for the disposition of records in accordance with law or regulation.

.11 The prohibition against counterfeiting and forging transportation requests (18 U.S.C. 508). Falsely making, altering or forging, in whole or in part, any form of transportation request is prohibited.

.12 The prohibitions against:

a. Embezzlement of Government money or property (18 U.S.C. 641). No employee may convert any Government money or Government property to his own use or the use of another person.

b. Failure to account for public money (18 U.S.C. 643). Any employee, who, having received public money which he is not authorized to retain, fails to render his accounts for same as provided by law, is guilty of embezzlement.

c. Embezzlement of the money or property of another person in the possession of the employee by reason of his employment (18 U.S.C. 654). An employee is prohibited from embezzling or wrongfully converting for his own use the money or property of another which comes under his control as the result of his employment.

.13 The prohibition against unauthorized removal or use of documents relating to claims from or by the Government (18 U.S.C. 285). No employee, without authority, may remove from the place where it was kept by authority of the United States any document, record, file, or paper intended to be used to procure the payment of money from or by the United States or the allowance or payment of any claim against the United States, regardless of whether the document or paper has already been used or the claim has already been allowed or paid; and no employee may use or attempt to use any such document, record, file, or paper to procure the payment of any money from or by the United States or the allowance or payment of any claim against the United States.

.14 The prohibition against proscribed political activities, including the following, among others:

a. Using official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or influencing the result of an election, except as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 7324);

b. Taking an active part in political management or in political campaigns, except as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 7324);

c. Offering or promising to pay anything of value in consideration of the use of, or promise to use, any influence to procure any appointive office or place under the United States for any person (18 U.S.C. 210);

d. Soliciting or receiving, either as a political contribution or for personal emolument, anything of value in consideration of a promise of support or use of influence in obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the United States (18 U.S.C. 211);

e. Using official authority to interfere with a Federal election (18 U.S.C. 595);

f. Promising any employment compensation, or other benefit made possible by Act of Congress in consideration of political activity or support (18 U.S.C. 600);

g. Action by a Federal officer or employee to solicit or receive, or to be in any manner concerned with soliciting or receiving, any contribution for any political purpose whatever from any other Federal officer or employee or from any person receiving compensation for services from money derived from the Treasury of the United States (18 U.S.C. 602);

h. Soliciting or receiving (by any person) anything of value for any political purpose whatever on any Government premises (18 U.S.C. 603);

i. Soliciting or receiving contributions for political purposes from anyone on Federal relief or work relief (18 U.S.C. 604);

j. Payment of a contribution for political purposes by any Federal officer or employee to another Federal officer or employee (18 U.S.C. 607); and

k. Payment of a political contribution in excess of statutory limitations and purchase of goods, commodities, advertising, or articles the proceeds of which inure to the benefit of certain political candidates or organizations (18 U.S.C. 608).

.15 The prohibition against an employee acting as the agent of a foreign principal registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (18 U.S.C. 219).