OGE Finalizes Rule Regarding Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts for Executive Brach Employees

A new final rule issued by the Office of Government Ethics revises the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch applicable to the solicitation and acceptance of gifts from outside sources. The final rule imposes a duty to decline otherwise permissible gifts when the appearance of impropriety is present, adds new examples of how to apply the rules, codifies previous interpretations of the gift rule, and retains the $20 de minimis exception.