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Maj Thomas R' Serrano

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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COUNSEL. Maj Thomas R. Serrano. Post ... OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COUNSEL. Criminal and regulatory restrictions on post-government employment ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Maj Thomas R' Serrano


1
(No Transcript)
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Post Government Employment Issues
  • Maj Thomas R. Serrano

3
Topics Well Cover
  • Criminal and regulatory restrictions on
    post-government employment
  • seeking employment / having discussions
  • employment during PTDY and transition leave
  • post-Government limitations on job duties
  • Use of military title
  • Termination SF 278

4
Post-Government Employment Limitations
  • Applicable to everyone in the federal government
    (military and civilian)
  • Why have ethics rules regarding post government
    employment ?
  • preserve public confidence in Government
    integrity
  • prevent activity that conflicts with the
    interests of the United States
  • The evolving revolving door...

5
Criminal Statutes
  • 18 US Code 208
  • seeking employment
  • switching sides
  • 18 US Code 207
  • representational restrictions vary (lifetime, 2
    year, 1 year
  • senior and very senior employees
  • 18 US Code 203
  • limits compensation for lobbying or consulting
    activities while employed by Government

6
Ethics Opinions
  • Request opinion before taking action
  • Extremely fact-specific
  • different facts lead to different results
  • Opinions are advisory and are only as good as the
    information you provide
  • Department of Justice makes prosecutorial
    decisions, but ethics advisory opinions will
    usually control

7
Pre-retirement considerations --
8
Seeking Employment
  • Realize the limitations placed on you regarding
    job searching
  • Be proactive
  • inform prospective employers of the date that
    you will start to seek employment
  • Prepare and widely distribute disqualification
    letters
  • list all potential employers

9
The Seeking Employment Rule
  • 18 US Code 208 - criminal statute
  • 5 CFR 2635.604
  • You cant do Government work
  • on a particular matter
  • that could affect the financial interests
  • of a prospective employer
  • when looking for employment

10
For 18 US Code 208 purposes, involvement in
government work must be personal and substantial
  • Deciding, approving, making recommendation,
    rendering advice, investigating.
  • INCLUDES actions taken by subordinates when
    their actions are directed by you

11
What is seeking employment ?
  • Communications mutually conducted for the purpose
    of reaching an agreement regarding potential post
    Government employment
  • Submitting a job application? (yes)
  • Going to a job interview ? (yes)
  • Submitting a resume ? (it depends)

12
Remedies
  • Disqualify yourself from any further involvement
    (template in notebook)
  • Report employment offers involving potential
    contractors to Ethics Counselor
  • Reject any employment offer, if made
  • Note - rejection cant be delayed
  • (e.g., call me in 6 months)

13
Procurement Integrity Act Notification
Requirement
  • If contract involves 100,000
  • Employment offers must be reported whether
    initiated by you or the potential contractor
  • Includes contractors with pending option years or
    performance awards
  • Avoid the appearance of any impropriety
  • Err on the cautious side

14
Interview / Travel Expenses
  • Can you accept meals, lodging and transportation
    from a prospective employer ?
  • Yes, if it is their customary practice to pay
    such expenses for similarly situated potential
    employees

15
Use of Government Property
  • Government computers and e-mail may be used in
    job search
  • On your personal time
  • with no adverse effect on DoD
  • BUT, a subordinates time may not be used to help
    your job search
  • 5 CFR 2635.705 (Standards of Ethical Conduct for
    the Employees of the Executive Branch)

16
Transition PTDY
  • Authorization, NOT an entitlement
  • May be disapproved if unit mission dictates a
    soldier must be present to perform critical tasks
  • AR 600-8-10, para 5-35(d) (NEW, 31 July 2003)
  • Increments of 10 days plus 10 days
  • You may not work during PTDY
  • Transition PTDY may be used for
  • house hunting (only if relocating) or
  • job hunting

17
Transition Leave
  • During transition leave work is permitted
  • so long as there is no conflict of interest
  • 18 US Code 208 analysis
  • treated as off-duty employment
  • Obtain supervisory approval before you begin work

18
After retirement
19
18 US Code 207 Representation Ban
  • Does not impose restrictions on behind the
    scenes advice, that is, you can give advice and
    help prepare proposals
  • BUT, be careful about contacts
  • purely social matters or informational requests
    are OK
  • Attending meetings can lead to problems

20
18 US Code 207(a)(1)
  • Lifetime Ban
  • SIMPLIFIED RULE After you leave Government
    service, you may not represent someone else to
    the Government regarding particular matters that
    you worked on while in Government service.

21
18 US Code 207(a)(2)
  • Official responsibility - 2 year ban
  • SIMPLIFIED RULE For 2 years after leaving
    Government service, you may not represent someone
    else to the Government regarding particular
    matters that you did not work on yourself, but
    were pending under your responsibility during
    your last year of Government service.

22
18 US Code 207(b)
  • Trade or Treaty - 1 Year ban
  • SIMPLIFIED RULE For 1 year after leaving
    Government service, you may not aid, advise, or
    represent someone else regarding trade or treaty
    negotiations that you worked on during your last
    year of Government service.

23
18 US Code 207(c)
  • Senior employees - 1 year ban
  • SIMPLIFIED RULE For 1 year after leaving
    Government service, senior employees may not
    represent anyone before their agency for anything

24
18 US Code 207(c)
  • DoD has 9 component agencies -- the restriction
    doesnt apply to other components
  • Air Force
  • Army
  • Navy
  • Defense Information Systems Agency
  • Defense Intelligence Agency
  • Defense Logistics Agency
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (formerly
    the National Imagery and Mapping Agency)
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • National Security Agency
  • National Reconnaissance Office

25
18 US Code 203
  • No compensation for representational services,
    which were provided by anyone while you were a
    Government employee, before a Federal agency or
    court regarding particular matters in which the
    Government was a party or had a substantial
    interest.
  • Examples
  • lobbyists, consulting companies,law firms

26
Dont work for a foreign government . . .
  • Unless you obtain prior permission of the
    Department of the Army (Sec Army) and Department
    of State
  • JER 9-701
  • Penalty - Loss of retired pay
  • Beware of companies controlled by foreign
    governments
  • Case of Major Stephen M. Harnett (1990)

27
Use of Military Title
  • AR 25-50, paragraph 6-6
  • Must clearly reflect retired status
  • Must not be interpreted as official sponsorship
    or recommendation from the DoD or the Army
  • Must not bring discredit upon the DoD or the Army

28
Termination SF 278
  • File within 30 days after retirement
  • You cant file an SF 278 until the date of your
    official retirement
  • Exiting current position is not the triggering
    event
  • Potential 200 fine for late filing
  • Download form from Office of Government Ethics
    website http//www.usoge.gov/pages/for
    ms_pubs_otherdocs/forms_pubs_other_pg3.html

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