Ethics
Practical steps agencies can take to mitigate financial disclosure controversies
COMMENTARY | Decentralized handling of supplemental forms like travel reimbursements and widely attended gatherings can create ethical blind spots that bad actors can exploit.
DOT inspector general reviewing complaint against Sean Duffy over reality show
Ethics watchdogs have concerns about the cabinet secretary's forthcoming travel show.
Inspector general’s reported plan to run for Congress is a Hatch Act violation, lawmakers and ethics orgs say
Federal employees are not permitted to run for partisan office or to prepare for such an election.
The Pentagon’s investment deals draw congressional scrutiny
DOD weapons buyer Michael Duffey testified about the decision to invest $1 billion in L3Harris.
Trump’s Tech Force hiring effort extends application deadline
Ethical questions remain about how managers from the approximately 30 industry partners involved in the program will work for the government without triggering conflicts of interest.
Safeguarding the federal merit system at the Office of Special Counsel
COMMENTARY | A senior OSC attorney argues the agency’s work remains critical to protecting the federal merit system.
Ethics agency spells out holiday do’s and don’ts for federal employees
Ethics rules generally prohibiting government workers from giving presents to their bosses or accepting gifts from non-governmental organizations are particularly relevant around the holidays.
SSA chief Bisignano faces probe from Wyden and Warren over Fiserv stock and federal contract concerns
The Social Security commissioner has come under fire in recent days as shares in his former company depreciated shortly after his tax-advantaged divestiture from the financial technology firm.
Bisignano draws scrutiny as his former company falters
Just months after the Social Security commissioner and Internal Revenue Service CEO divested nearly $600 million in Fiserv investments, the business’ stock value tanked more than 40% on the news that Bisignano had issued overly rosy earnings guidance.
Ex-Veterans Affairs acquisition leader broke several ethics rules at 2023 conference, watchdog finds
Investigators reported that Judith Dawson generally ignored or dismissed ethics concerns raised by an employee.
Some Hatch Act restrictions loosened under the Trump administration
Based on the new rules, civil servants may be able to display campaign items supporting President Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
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Ethics and whistleblower officials fired by Trump
Hampton Dellinger, the ousted head of the Office of Special Counsel, filed a lawsuit that argued his removal was unlawful, and a federal judge reinstated him at least through Thursday.
Some Trump nominees face confirmation delays with ethics and background checks behind schedule
Lawmakers are demanding Senate Republicans not move forward without full vetting, a process delayed by Trump's transition foot-dragging.
Senate confirms Biden’s ethics czar, who will remain under Trump
Senate Democrats use dwindling floor time to confirm a new head for the government's ethics office, with whom Trump administration often butted heads in his first term.
Ethics office clears federal official for his Project 2025 involvement
The agency leader wrote a chapter for the document but did not break any ethics laws in doing so, OGE says.
Does the Hatch Act apply to you? Election season do's and don'ts
The first installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Can federal employees volunteer for political campaigns and make contributions? Election season do's and don'ts
The second installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Can federal employees take part in political campaign activities? Election season do’s and don’ts
The third installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
How does telework affect the Hatch Act? Election season do’s and don’ts
The fourth installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Lawmakers look to ban foreign payments to senior feds
Top federal executives would not be able to "betray the public's trust" under Democratic bill.
