An LEF may be used to cover costs for legal matters arising with employee’s past or current official position. Image: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com
The Office of Government Ethics has issued a guide for federal employees on complying with rules to take effect November 21 on acceptance of payments for legal expenses through a legal expense fund and acceptance of free legal services for suits connected to their official positions.
Rules finalized in May with a 180-day delay in their effective date also extend to acceptance of such help for legal matters connected to some prior employment, such as with a Presidential campaign or transition team.
The guide addresses matters including requirements for setting up such funds; solicitation of donations; restrictions on contributions by individuals, political parties and others; collection of information; distributions; reporting requirements; restrictions on the recipient’s involvement in decisions that could affect a donor; and more.
An LEF may be used to cover costs for legal matters arising with employee’s past or current official position, the employee’s prior position on a campaign, or the employee’s prior position on a Presidential Transition Team. If the employee would not have been involved in a legal matter without the status, authority, or duties associated with one of those position – the fund can be used. It cannot be used to cover personal legal expenses, such as a divorce.
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