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Ethics Tips!

  • Election Season is here!
  • Early voting in the area has begun, and campaign ads and debates abound.
  • Be careful about risks and challenges. If you’re unclear about the District’s Code of Conduct provisions regarding political activity, including campaigning, donating and fundraising, do not hesitate to contact us!

November 2018 | Volume 5 Issue 1

Director Message

PineappleIt’s a busy time at BEGA, as we begin enforcing compliance with the District’s Financial Disclosure Statement (FDS) requirements, while preparing to launch a new e-Filing system for the Lobbyist program. We welcome any questions or requests for ethics opinions you may have, and tell us what you think about Ethically Speaking’s new format!

Regards,
Brent Wolfingbarger, Director

BEGA Happenings

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On October 4, 2018, we hosted our 2018 Ethics Day – “Sustaining an Ethical and Transparent Government”. In addition to BEGA attorneys, the full day seminar featured presentations by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General, the D.C. City Council General Counsel’s Office, and the D.C. Bar Association. Topics included complying with financial disclosure requirements, the interplay of parliamentary procedure with the Opening Meetings Act, and ethical issues related to social media. The event was well attended, with over 100 participants. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit is available for attendees.

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Enforcement Matters

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  • A District employee and candidate for D.C. City Council At Large, executed a Negotiated Disposition with OGE, agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine for violating the Hatch Act. For more details click here.
  • A former Deputy Mayor entered into a Negotiated Disposition, agreeing to pay a fine of $3,000 for Code of Conduct violations involving the use of employees and interns for the care of her minor children. For more details click here.

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Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

  • November 1, 2018 @10 a.m. - BEGA Monthly Board Meeting 441 4th St. NW, Suite 540 South
  • November 14, 2018 @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – District-wide Ethics Training , 441 4th St. NW, Suite 540
  • December 9 -12, 2018 @ the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown – The Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) – Learn what’s new in the fields of campaign finance, governmental ethics, elections, lobbying, and freedom of information. For more details click here.

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Ethics In the News

Ethics In the News

  • The U.S. Department of the Interior concluded its investigation into alleged ethical misconduct by Secretary Ryan Zinke. The report found that he allowed his wife to travel in government vehicles and used his security detail to drive a nongovernment employee to the airport. For more details click here.
  • An ICE employee resigned and was barred from federal employment for 5 years after posting over 100 messages on social media encouraging coworkers to vote for a particular presidential candidate in violation of the Hatch Act. For more details click here.
  • An investigation by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel concluded that Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway violated the Hatch Act by advocating for the election of one U.S. Senate candidate and for the defeat another candidate while participating in her official capacity two television interviews. For more details click here.

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