Previous message Next message Previous in topicNext in topicPrevious by same author Next by same author Previous page (May 2003) Back to main OGE-ETHICSINFO-L page Join or leave OGE-ETHICSINFO-L (or change settings) Reply Post a new message Search Proportional font Non-proportional font *Date:* Fri, 16 May 2003 14:24:02 -0400 *Reply-To:* ETHICS_MAILINGLIST ETHICS_MAILINGLIST *From:* ETHICS_MAILINGLIST ETHICS_MAILINGLIST *Subject:* ETHICS NEWS AND INFORMATION MAY 16, 2003 *Content-Type:* text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 ETHICS NEWS AND INFORMATION MAY 16, 2003 1. OGE ISSUES DAEOGRAM REGARDING DUE DATES FOR PUBLIC FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORTS OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS REQUIRED TO FILE WITH OGE OGE issued DAEOgram DO-03-007 on May 15, 2003, outlining the due dates for the public financial disclosure reports (SF 278) of executive branch officials who are required to file their reports with OGE. The DAEOgram also includes some general SF 278 completion and review reminders. For more information you can access the DAEOgram at: http://www.usoge.gov/pages/daeograms/2003daeolist.html NOTE: See item number 4 in this message: HELPFUL HINTS FOR SF 278 REVIEWERS 2. OGE ISSUES DAEOGRAM REGARDING REPORTING PAYMENTS ACCEPTED UNDER 31 U.S.C. §§ 1353 OGE issued DAEOgram DO-03-008 on May 15, 2003 reminding agency heads to submit to the Director, Office of Government Ethics (OGE), semiannual reports of payments for travel, subsistence and related expenses received from non-Federal sources in connection with the attendance of employees at certain meetings or similar functions. (31 U.S.C. § 1353) The next semiannual report should be submitted to OGE not later than May 31, 2003, concerning payments received from October 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003. Agencies must submit negative reports. The DAEOgram can be accessed at: http://www.usoge.gov/pages/daeograms/2003daeolist.html 3. PROGRAM REVIEW NEWS OGE is beginning ethics program reviews at the Internal Revenue Service, on May 19, the National Credit Union Administration, on May 21, and the Federal Maritime Commission, on June 2. 4. HELPFUL HINTS FOR SF 278 REVIEWERS It's once again time for the review of the annual Public Financial Disclosure Reports (SF 278) that were required to be filed by May 15, 2003. To assist agency reviewers, OGE has prepared the following helpful hints, based on our staff's review experience, to aid you in the work. Cover Page Ensure that the filer's signature date is no earlier than January 1, 2003. If the filer was granted a filing extension, check the box in the "Comments of Reviewing Officials" section and indicate the number of days granted. Schedule A: Assets and Income When reporting Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), filers should fully identify the underlying holdings and disclose any accrued income generated during the reporting period attributable to those holdings. While the underlying holdings of an IRA can be Excepted Investment Funds (EIFs), the account itself is not an EIF because it is self-directed and not widely held. Even if the account is managed by a broker, the account is still considered to be self-directed. For any income reported under the "Other" column, an actual income amount must be reported. Schedule B, Part I: Transactions If a sale appears on Schedule B for an asset that is still listed on Schedule A and is still showing a value exceeding $1,000, indicate on Schedule B whether a partial sale occurred. If an asset was sold and generated income exceeding $200, including any capital gains, the asset must also appear on Schedule A. If an asset was sold in its entirety, the asset value shown on Schedule A should be marked as "None (or less than $1,001)." Schedule B, Part II: Gifts, Reimbursements, and Travel Expenses If a gift of travel is reported, specify the basis for the acceptance, e.g., a personal friend or agency approval under 5 U.S.C. § 4111. If an employee has accepted a meritorious service award with a value greater than $200 under 5 C.F.R. § 2635.204(d), ensure that the filer has obtained written approval by the agency. If the SF 278 is forwarded to OGE, also forward a copy of the written approval. Schedule C, Part I: Liabilities When rental property is sold during the reporting period, the mortgage must still appear on Schedule C if the mortgage exceeded $10,000 at any time during the reporting period. Schedule C, Part II: Agreements or Arrangements Ensure that any agreement or arrangement reported on Schedule C is also reflected on Schedule A, where appropriate. For example, if the filer reports a continuing interest in a former employer's pension plan, a corresponding entry should also appear on Schedule A. Schedule D, Part I: Positions Held Outside the U.S. Government The reporting period for this section includes the previous calendar year and the current calendar year up to the filing date. All positions held at any time during the reporting period should be listed, even those positions from which the filer resigned before the end of the reporting period. For each position listed, the filer should provide a description of the organization that is sufficient to enable the reviewer to determine whether a potential conflict of interest exists. Miscellaneous Ensure that all sections of the report are complete. If a filer has nothing to report for an applicable schedule, ensure that the "None" box is checked. Note that "None" and "Not Applicable" should not be used interchangeably. Ensure that all report pages including any attachments are numbered and that the filer's name appears on each page. Ensure that unneeded personal information (e.g., home addresses, social security numbers, and account numbers) do not appear on the form or any attachments. For rental property, provide only the city and state where the property is located (i.e., do not list the street address). Brokerage statements can only be attached if they clearly and concisely disclose all information that the filer would otherwise have been required to enter on the schedules. 5. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION The Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a vacancy for a Supervisory General Attorney, GS-905-15, to be the Assistant General Counsel for the General Law Division. The Vacancy Announcement will be available on the CPSC website and can be accessed at: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/personnel.html Applicants may also obtain information about this vacancy by contacting Mr. Leon White at 301-504-7925 or by email at: recruitapps@cpsc.gov). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back to: Top of message <#TOP> | Previous page | Main OGE-ETHICSINFO-L page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back to the LISTSERV home page at LISTSERV.ACCESS.GPO.GOV.