‘Tis the season to consult your Ethics Counselor! Below are some issues that come up annually during the holidays. See Page 8 for a discussion on NFEs and BOOFOOs.
‘Tis the season to consult your Ethics Counselor! Below are some issues that come up annually during the holidays. See Page 8 for a discussion on NFEs and BOOFOOs.
GIFTS—Cash is NEVER an acceptable gift!
Personal Gifts: Anyone can accept any gift from their spouse, family, or close personal friend. Issues only arise when gifts are given solely because of a member’s position. These gifts are thus governed by 5 U.S.C. § 2635 and are discussed below.
Outside Sources: Federal personnel may not solicit, nor accept, a gift from a source seeking to do business with the U.S. Government (or risk making an appearance on Navy Times). However, military members may accept personal gifts up to $20 in value from one source per occasion, and $50 per year, with the exception of gifts from a foreign government valued at $390 or less.
Flag Officers: All gifts must be reviewed and documented by a JAG.
Superiors: Superiors cannot solicit nor accept gifts from their subordinates. However, an exception to that is a superior can accept a gift from a subordinate on an occasion in which gifts are traditionally given if the gift is less than $10. Superiors gifting to subordinates are not limited to $10.
White Elephant: An anonymous gift exchange is authorized under 5 U.S.C. § 2635.304 if it is unsolicited and under $10 in value. This only pertains to groups that differ in rank (e.g. a department).