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A Guide to the Office of Government Ethics

Office Of Government Ethics

What is the Office of Government Ethics (OGE)?

The Office of Government Ethics is an Independent Federal Agency responsible for the investigation and management of the maintenance of ethical behavior and decorum undertaken by the Federal Government of the United States of America; although related Federal departments address a variety of legal and ethical matters, the OGE primarily focuses on employee/employer relations existing with regard to employ under the Federal Government. Amongst the bulk of the responsibility undertaken by the OGE, the management of conflict resolution and procedural restrictions of the Federal Government are common:

OGE Quick Facts

Independent Federal Agencies are typically without a single director or executive; in contrast, independent government agencies – such as the OGE - are overseen by an executive directorial board; due to this fact, the Executive Branch retains less managerial oversight of the OGE than its agency counterparts. Although the President of the United States retains administrative jurisdiction over the OGE, the presence of a committee of directors allows for a decreased executive authority over hiring, staffing, and administration.

The following details outline the structuring of the OGE:

The OGE was founded in 1978 in conjunction with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which was passed in the wake of the Watergate Scandal involving former-President Richard Nixon; due to deceit experienced by a multitude of American Citizens, the passing of this act required government employees to not only disclose their respective employment history, but also the employment history of their immediate relatives and family members

The headquarters of the OGE are located in Washington, D.C.

Independent Government Agencies


Independent Government Agencies are specific organizations and bureaus under the overarching jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States; however, these independent agencies are typically without a specified Department responsible for their respective oversight and administration. However, while non-independent government agencies are classified as existing under the jurisdiction of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the OGE – as well as the bulk of independent government agencies – are under varying degrees of the Executive branch’s jurisdiction.

Issues and Affairs Undertaken by the OGE


The foundation of the OGE was implemented in order to address matters concerning
The following legal and administrative matters and affairs are most commonly related to the operation of the OGE:

‘Whistleblowers’ and the OGE

The OGE administers the oversight and prevention of the Whistleblower Protection Act, which serves as legal protection for individuals under the employ of the Federal government who have come forward with information revealing presumed unethical, illegal, unlawful activity and dealings; in the event that an ethical quandary arises with regard to the professional relationship shared by employees and employers of the Federal Government, the OGE will enact an investigation.

OGE: Legal Information and Further Assistance


The operation and administration of the OGE resides under the jurisdiction of the legal field classified as Administrative Law; this genre of law is primarily associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the administration and operation of government agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard – you can find both the primary address and telephones number of the OGE below:

United States Office of Government Ethics

1201 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 500

Washington, D.C.
20005
(202) 482-9300

NEXT: A Guide to the Office of Legal Counsel

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