GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
BOARD OF ETHICS AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
Office of Government Ethics
Darrin P. Sobin, Director
Ashley D. Cooks, Attorney
Volume 3
Issue 3
February 2016
Ethically Speaking
The BEGA/OGE Newsletter
BEGA Happenings ―
BEGA will hold its monthly Board Meeting on Monday, March 14th at 1 p.m.
Message from the Director ― Social Media and Political Activities by Employees –
With several Council primaries scheduled for the summer and many of those campaigns well underway, it is important to remember the prohibition on government employees engaging in certain types of political activity. While government employees may never run for a Council seat or fundraise for someone who is running for the seat (unless specially designated), other types of activity, such as campaigning, are permissible. It should be remembered, however, that even permissible political campaigning may not be done while on duty or on government premises. This prohibition takes on greater meaning in the era of Facebook and Twitter which can be easily accessed remotely by cellphone or other means. Notwithstanding, an employee may not post to a Facebook or a Twitter account with respect to political activity during the work-day unless the individual is both on a break and off of government premises. Postings that appear with a date and time entry that do not coincide with being off premises could be grounds for greater scrutiny by the agency and by BEGA if a referral is made. Please be careful. Details like this are important. Many thanks!
Regards,
- Darrin P. Sobin, Director of Government Ethics
Enforcement Matters ―
A Department of Public Works employee paid a $1,000 fine and agreed to attend ethics training as part of a Negotiated Disposition. View Details
Upcoming Events ―
March 8th, 10:00-12:00 p.m. - BEGA Monthly Ethics Training - 441 4th St. NW, Suite 540 South (sign-up via PeopleSoft)
March 9th and 10th, 10:00-12:00 p.m. - Ethics Training - Office of the Attorney General, 441 4th Street NW, Room 1107 South
March 14th, 1:00 p.m. - BEGA Monthly Board Meeting - 441 4th St. NW, Suite 540 South
March 16th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Boards and Commissions Training - Wilson Building,1st floor
March 25th, 10:00-12:00 p.m. - District Open Meetings Act and Ethics Training - Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) 64 New York Ave, N.E. 2nd Floor
Ethics In the News ―
Virginia’s Ethics Council Approved Free Redskins Suite Read More
Virginia’s Senate Wants to Re-gift Itself Looser Ethics Laws Read More
Federal Office of Government Ethics Hosts 2016 National Government Ethics Summit, March 8-10, 2016 Read More
Good to Know – Post Employment
Nepotism - Pursuant to 6B DCMR § 1806, employees who have any role in an agency hiring process must recuse themselves in writing whenever a family member applies for a position within that agency. Failure to do so will result in immediate termination of the relative who was hired, possible termination of the employee who failed to recuse, and, in addition to BEGA penalties, restitution to the District of any salary paid to the relative.
If you have any questions, we can be reached at 202-481-3411, or through our website at www.bega-dc.gov