Gifts and Gratuities From Outside Sources. General Limitations Employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or any other thing of monetary value, from a person who or entity which, the employee knows or has reason to know: Has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with his/her agency/department; Conducts business or other activities which are regulated or monitored by the agency/department, except as permitted by this section or by agency/departmental directives; or Has interests that may be or give the reasonable impression of being substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the employee’s official duties. Exceptions The restrictions set forth in paragraph A of this section do not apply to: Obvious family or personal relations when the circumstances make it clear that those relationships, rather than the business or the persons concerned, are the motivating factors behind any gift or gratuity. The acceptance of food or refreshments of nominal value on infrequent occasions in the ordinary course of a breakfast, luncheon, dinner or other meetings attended for educational, informational or other similar purposes. However, agency/departmental employees are specifically prohibited from accepting free food or other gratuity except non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, tea, etc.), while on official business, from persons with whom they have contact in the performance of their official duties. The acceptance of loans from banks or other financial institutions on customary terms to finance proper and usual activities of employees, such as home mortgage loans, automobile loans, personal loans, etc., provided that the employee does not deal with that institution in the course of his/her official duties. However, if dealing with such banks or financial institutions is unavoidable, the employee must disclose dealings to the appropriate authority in writing prior to engaging in such dealings. The acceptance of unsolicited advertising or promotional materials such as pens, pencils, notepads, calendars, and other items of nominal value. The acceptance of an award or gift of nominal value for a speech, participation in a conference, or some public contribution or achievement given by a charitable, religious, professional, social, fraternal, educational, recreational, public service or civic organization, if such organization falls within paragraph A above. Acceptance of reimbursement, in cash ...
Gifts and Gratuities From Outside Sources
