Summary: Encyclopedia Of Ethical Failure

Encyclopedia of Ethical Failure

Department of Defense
Office of General Counsel
Standards of Conduct Office
Updated July 2012

Contents
Introduction 3
Disclaimer 3
Abuse of Position 4
Bribery (18 U.S.C. § 201-Type Violations 10
Compensation for Representational Services from Non-Federal Sources (18 U.S.C. § 203-Type Violations) 31
Conflicts of Interest (18 U.S.C. § 208-Type Violations) 38
Credit Card Abuse 57
Fraud (Violations Not Covered Elsewhere) 71
Gambling and Other Contest Violations 82
Gift Violations 83
Involvement in Claims Against the Government or in Matters Affecting the Government (18 U.S.C. § 205-Type Violations) 87
Misuse of Government Resources 90
Morale, Welfare, and
Abuse of Position

Chief Authority
A military service Chief Master Sergeant abused her authority and improperly used a government vehicle when she employed a government vehicle and three non-commissioned officers under her supervision to move personal property in a government rental vehicle. The soldiers helped her for 3 hours. The Chief Master Sergeant was given a verbal warning and advised of the improper use of government vehicles and the abuse of authority.

Abuse of Position and Bribery
A military service Captain used his official position as a reservist to obtain contracts for private sector companies with which he had an affiliation. In addition, the Captain accepted a “finder’s fee” (i.e., kickbacks) from one company for his efforts in helping the company obtain government contract work. For his significant ethical failure, the Captain was “allowed” to retire at the grade of Commander, though he had been selected to be an Admiral. In addition, the Captain was debarred for one year, while two of the affiliated companies entered into administrative agreements (for 3 years) with the military service.

Coercion by
He also saw a contractor providing him with nice gifts to reward his work—including a large-screen TV and a VCR. What could be wrong with that? Plenty, according to the U.S. Attorney, who delivered to this gracious gift-getter a four-month prison sentence, to be followed by one year of probation, and an order for restitution in the amount of $7,460. The other gifts the employee could have refused; these he was compelled to take. (Source: Federal Ethics Report, Feb.