(1) Within 30 days of assuming a po#sition or office described in paragraph (a) of this section-unless the employee has already filed a current Standard Form 278 either for a similarly covered position which he or she has a left within 30 days of assuming the duties of the new one, or has filed as a 1 nominee for the position assumed;

(2) Within 30 days of termination of employment from a position or office I described in paragraph (a) of this section, unless the employee enters a similarly covered position within 30 days of such termination; and

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(3) On or before May 15 of each calendar year during the incumbency of an employee in a covered position, when he or she has served more than 360 days in such position during the previous calendar year.

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(c) Instructions covering the types of xe information to be provided on a Standard Form 278 are included with the nd form. The basic categories of informaetion required are: Income from and inpl terests in property; purchases, sales and exchanges; gifts and reimbursements; liabilities; positions held; and relations with other employers.

(d) Financial disclosure reports submitted under the provisions of this section shall be reviewed by the Director of Personnel as the Designated Agency Ethics Official, or by those individuals delegated authority for that purpose as Deputy Ethics Officials (subject to the restrictions of 5 CFR 738.204).

(e) The official responsible for reviewing the disclosure statement shall I either approve it, or make an initial determination that a conflict or appearance thereof exists, or may determine that additional information is needed to resolve potential problems. The reporting individual shall be afforded the opportunity for written or oral response to any initial determinations other than approval, and should a final determination of a conflict be made, shall be afforded the opportunity for a personal consultation where practicable. If after these steps have been taken the reviewing official determines that a conflict or appearance of a conflict continues to exist, the reporting individual shall be notified in writing of what steps must be taken to

resolve the problems. Failure to take any required remedial actions will result in appropriate disciplinary action against the individual involved in accordance with the provisions of 5 CFR 734.604(b)(6).

(f) Financial disclosure reports filed under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 shall be made available for public inspection within 15 days of their receipt within the parameters established in 5 CFR 734.603.

(g) The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 provides that the Office of Government Ethics, Office of Personnel Management, shall be responsible for developing rules and regulations affecting financial disclosure procedures under the Act. These regulations are found in 5 CFR part 734. Employees with questions concerning this section may consult the complete regulations in 5 CFR part 734, ask their servicing personnel office, or address their inquiries directly to the Designated Agency Ethics Official, Director of Personnel, Room 16-W, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

(5 U.S.C. 301; Title II of Pub. L. 95-521, 92 Stat. 1836, as amended, 5 U.S.C. app.; E.O. 11222 of May 8, 1965, 30 FR 6469, 3 CFR, 1965 Supp.; 5 CFR 734.103)

[47 FR 12608, Mar. 24, 1982]

Whenever the Director of Personnel has reasonable cause to believe that a former employee of the Department has committed acts which violate 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b), or (c) he or she shall initiate administrative action pursuant to this subpart by notifying such employee (hereinafter respondent), in writing that:

(a) Action is being instituted against him or her pursuant to this subpart as a result of allegations of a violation or violations of 18 U.S.C. 207. The respondent shall be informed of the allegations and the basis for them in sufficient detail to prepare an adequate defense;

(b) He or she may request a hearing in writing within 15 working days by addressing the request to the Director of Personnel of the Department;

(c) In the absence of such a request, the Director of Personnel shall decide the matter on its merits based upon the evidence gathered to date; and

(d) The respondent may elect to supply a written rebuttal to the allegations in lieu of requesting a hearing. Such material shall be incorporated in the record and reviewed by the Director of Personnel prior to reaching a determination on the matter.

8 0.735-54 Hearing officer.

If the respondent, after receiving notice of action under this subpart, requests a hearing, the Secretary shall appoint a hearing officer for the matter. The hearing officer shall be an individual who has not been involved in any of the events specified in the allegations and who did not participate in the investigation of the allegations, or the decision to institute the proceeding, or the referral of the matter, if any, to the Department of Justice. The hearing officer shall be an individual with suitable experience

and training to conduct the hearing. reach a determination and render an initial decision in an equitable manner.

§ 0.735-55 Department representative.

The Director of Personnel shall ap point a Department representative (hereinafter petitioner) to present ev dence and otherwise participate in the hearing.

§ 0.735-56 Time, date and place of hear ing.

The hearing shall be held at a time and place specified by the hearing of ficer. The hearing officer shall give due regard in setting a hearing date to:

(a) Allowing the respondent ade quate time to prepare a defense pro erly; and

(b) Providing the respondent an er peditious resolution of allegations tha may be damaging to his or her reputa tion.

8 0.735-68 Final decision.

The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall accept or reject the findings and conclusions of the hearing officer. This decison shall be based solely upon the record of the proceeding and the letters of the parties commenting on the initial decision. Neither party shall make any ex-parte communication to the Assistant Secretary for Administration concerning the merits of the appeal prior to issuance of his or her final decision.

§ 0.735-69 Sanctions.

In event of a finding, not overturned on appeal, of a violation of 18 U.S.C. 207, the Assistant Secretary for Administration may:

(a) Prohibit the respondent from making, on behalf of any other person (except the United States) any formal or informal appearance before, or, with the intent to influence, any oral or written communication to the Department on any matter of business for a period not to exceed five years, which may be accomplished by directing Department employees to refuse to participate in any such appearances or to accept any such communications; and

(b) Take other appropriate disciplinary action.