Electronic Bulletin, August 2008, No. 1

Electronic Bulletin
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Consulate General, Hong Kong
August 2008, No. 1

(The Electronic Bulletin is an information service published by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General and provided to subscribers by e-mail and fax. Except for the U.S. Government sites, the opinions expressed on the Internet sites listed here do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Government.)

Post-Government Employment Restrictions and Foreign Agent Registration: Additional Action Needed to Enhance Implementation of Requirements
United States Government Accountability Office
GAO-08-855, July 30, 2008

This report is available online. (PDF file)*

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Congress has enacted post-government employment restrictions and foreign agent registration requirements with the objectives of protecting the U.S. government against the improper use of government information by former federal employees and ensuring the American people know the identity of persons trying to influence U.S. government policy in the United States on behalf of foreign entities. This report discusses (1) the extent to which selected agencies have information on the post-government employment activities of former senior federal employees who represent foreign principals and (2) the challenges the agencies face in enforcing these requirements. GAO reviewed federal ethics guidance, laws, and other documents, and interviewed officials at the Departments of State and the Treasury, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Trade Representative.

GAO recommends that the Office of Government Ethics strongly encourage the agencies to implement its suggestions for documenting ethics advice. Also, Congress may wish to consider granting Justice the authority to inspect records of persons Justice believes should be registered as foreign agents and requiring persons claiming exemptions to notify Justice.

Subject: Public Administration