Ethics

Post 'Salon' Story Prompts WH Ethics Rules Reminder

By Michael D. Shear

White House counsel Greg Craig reminded administration staffers this afternoon that they operate under strict ethical guidelines, in the wake of reports that The Washington Post had solicited Obama officials for off the record "salons" with corporate sponsorship.

The memo from Craig to White House officials said White House officials are required to seek approval before attending events sponsored by a non-government entity.

"As we have advised in a previous memo (see attached), federal ethics rules restricting the acceptance of gifts govern your ability to accept free admission to events put on by a non-governmental sponsor," Craig wrote.

"Many of you are invited to attend such banquets, conferences and cocktail receptions. In an effort to streamline the process by which you receive approval to accept such free invitations from the White House Counsel's Office, we have created an online submission form. Our hope is that this will make it easier for you to submit such requests and will enable us to serve you better," he said.

In the e-mail, Craig says that requests for such events must be made 72 hours before the event, and will be responded to by e-mail.

The 9-page policy on gifts attached to Craig's e-mail lists in detail the administration's dos and don'ts when accepting gifts. Included are sections on "Gifts based on a personal relationship," "Invitations to Events," and "Social invitations from persons other than prohibited sources."

The Post had reportedly invited Obama officials to intimate dinners at the home of Post publisher Katherine Weymouth, which would be sponsored at a cost of $25,000 each.

Posted at 5:35 PM ET on Jul 2, 2009 | Category: Ethics

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