Office of Government Ethics

Darrin P. Sobin, Director

Asia Stewart-Mitchell, Attorney Advisor

Volume 3 

Issue 9

February 2017

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 4^th 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.  

​- 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 ―

• Governor of Maryland calls for ethics reforms
• Former Maryland State Delegate, Will Campos pleads guilty to accepting bribes for official favor
• South Dakota lawmakers take first steps to repeal ethics law
• Former Detroit transit officer indicted in corruption probe

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.