A word about the OGE 450 form (financial disclosure for government employees)
This form must be filled out by ALL INCOMING and EXISTING employees who are General Schedule grade 15 or higher, general managers, visiting scientists and political appointments.
It is also mandatory for employees in lesser grades who work with government contracts.
Filing is an annual requirement. NO exceptions.
Financial information history and holdings must be detailed for both the federal employee and spouse.
Failure to meet the requirement can lead to immediate dismissal.
As my center's point of contact for ethics inquiries I attended a workshop a couple years ago.
Reading through the case studies, i noted that at least 99 percent of government employees are terminated because they lied on that form.
It is a very powerful tool.
When the whistle is blown on someone whose bank account has suddenly swelled, and/or their lifestyle has suddenly changed for the better (new cars, extravagant homes, etc.) and that information doesn't jive with the information submitted on the form, they are instantly investigated.
Nine times out of 10 the employee being investigated used his or her position as a government employee in order to enrich themselves -- either by selling influence or in case of scientists, playing the stock market.
= new reply since forum marked as read
For decades I've heard Republicans say that if you don't have anything to hide, you've got nothing to worry about.
So what's the problem with the Republicans now? Do they need a diaper change?
If they don't want anyone to know their business, then don't apply or accept a government position.
I don't want to hear the excuse about Mr. Bigshot who is so bigly special, and a very successful businessman, to boot, that he doesn't need to fill out his TPS Report with a cover sheet.
It would really, really help us out if he did.
Ah, yea, that'd be great.
