Conflicts of Interest

Question 1

When is an employee allowed to participate in a particular matter affecting a holding in a sector mutual fund in which they own shares?

Answer 1

When the aggregate value of all sector mutual funds is less than $50,000

Question 2

When is an employee allowed to participate in a particular matter re: publicly traded security they own?

Answer 2

When the aggregate market value of the employee, spouse, minor children’s interest in the security doesn’t exceed $15,000.

Question 3

Accounting for the double-negatives of the JER in extending OGE regulations to enlisted servicemembers/guardsmen (extending, then exempting, then re-extending) what are the two primary areas of conflict-of-interest regulations applicable to enlisted servicemembers and guardsman?

Answer 3

A. Participation in a particular matter in which the employee (or spouse, minor children, partner, an organization they lead, or prospective employer) has a financial interest; or
B. moonlighting

Question 4

True or false: when a financial interest (actual, to ensure impartiality or prospective employer) disqualifies a DoD employee’s participation in a particular matter, that disqualification must be reported in writing to the employee’s superior?

Answer 4

True (JER 2-204.a-c)

Question 5

What are the exceptions to JER 2-205’s prohibition against DoD employees soliciting or making solicited sales to DoD personnel junior in rank, grade or position, or such junior’s family members, on or off duty?

Answer 5

So long as there is no coercion or intimidation…
A. sale or lease of non-commercial personal or real property;
B. Commercial sales solicited and made in a retail establishment during off duty employment; or
C. Posting an advertisement in accordance with Federal Building management policies