bega

Board of Ethics and Government Accountability

February 2017 BEGA newsletter

Monday, January 30, 2017

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

BOARD OF ETHICS AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Office of Government Ethics

Darrin P. Sobin, Director

Asia Stewart-MitchellAttorney Advisor

Volume 3 

Issue 9

February 2017

              Ethically Speaking       

                  The BEGA/OGE Newsletter            

Message from the Director ― 

    Happy New Year everyone.  This year we are hoping to significantly ramp up our training program to increase opportunities for government employees to receive Ethics training.  Our monthly 2 Hour Trainings will continue in the BEGA Hearing Room (441 4th Street, Suite 540 South – sign up through DCHR), and are open to all District employees.  We also hope to increase our mobile, agency specific ethics trainings.  If any agency Ethics Counselor wishes to request an on-site training at the agency, please contact us.  Most requests can be accommodated with only a 3-4 week lead time.  

Regards, 
 

- Darrin P. Sobin, Director of Government Ethics

       BEGA Happenings ―

Enforcement Matters

A District employee entered into a Negotiated Disposition, agreeing to pay a fine of $300 for Code of Conduct violations involving misuse of a government vehicle.  Read the disposition here

A Commissioner of one of the District’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions was admonished for her participation in discussions regarding grants from an organization for which she serves as board member. Read the disposition here.

Formal Advisory Opinions 

BEGA recently issued a Social Media Advisory Opinion. It can be viewed here

2016 Best Practices Report

BEGA recently issued its 2016 Best Practices Report. It can be viewed here.  

BEGA Happenings ―

Monthly Board Meeting BEGA will hold its monthly meeting on September 1st at 11:00 a.m., One Judiciary Square, Suite 540 South.

BEGA’s Government Ethics Day and Annual Symposium will be held on October 20th at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, Moot Court Room. Stay tuned for details.

You can now follow us on Twitter at @dcbega.

Ethics In the News 

Good to Know

Employees are obligated to immediately and directly report credible violations of the District Code of Conduct and fully cooperate with any investigation, enforcement action, or other official function of the Office of Government Ethics; an agency may not coerce, harass or retaliate against an employee acting in good faith to cooperate with such an action.  

If you have any questions, we can be reached at 202-481-3411, or through our website at www.bega-dc.gov