Ethics code and recusal process materials (Environmental Protection Agency)
| Tracking # |
EPA-HQ-2017-011806 |
| Submitted | Sept. 26, 2017 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Josh Keefe
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
I am requesting the most up-to-date ethics code, training materials and agency-wide rules/publications/guidance on the recusal process for situations involving actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. I am looking to see what the standards and processes are for recusal at your agency.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Josh Keefe
From: foia_hq@epa.gov
This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://foiaonline.regulations.gov:443/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d2815ffb1c)
* Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2017-011806
* Requester Name: Josh Keefe
* Date Submitted: 09/26/2017
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: Requesting the most up-to-date ethics code, training materials and agency-wide rules/publications/guidance on the recusal process for situations involving actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
From: Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Keefe,
This email concerns your FOIA request no. EPA-HQ-2017-011806, received by the Agency on September 26, 2017, in which you requested "the most up-to-date ethics code, training materials and agency-wide rules/publications/guidance on the recusal process for situations involving actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest." I was hoping to give you a call to discuss, but you don't have a number listed on FOIA Online.
The EPA does not have an established recusal process standard operating procedure, recusal training materials, or any agency-wide rules, publications or guidance on the recusal process. When counseling employees about their ethics obligations, including any obligation to recuse, EPA's ethics officials rely on various federal laws, regulations, and guidance documents/legal advisories from the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), some of which include the following, where appropriate: the criminal conflict of interest statutes found at 18 U.S.C. ยงยง 202-209; the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch found at 5 C.F.R. Part 2635; and Executive Order 13770 (January 28, 2017).
Before I close out your FOIA request, I wanted to explain why we determined there were no responsive records found. Please feel free to give me a call at 202-564-7061 if you'd like to discuss further or if you have any questions. Otherwise, I will begin preparing your close-out letter.
Thanks,
Shannon
Shannon Griffo
Ethics Attorney
Office of General Counsel, Ethics
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(202) 564-7061
Griffo.Shannon@epa.gov
From: Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Keefe,
I wanted to follow-up on my email below to see if you had any questions. Please contact me within 10 days of this correspondence if you want to discuss your request further. If we do not hear from you by that date, I will close out the request in FOIA Online as no responsive records found.
Thanks,
Shannon
Shannon Griffo
Ethics Attorney
Office of General Counsel, Ethics
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(202) 564-7061
Griffo.Shannon@epa.gov
From: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA-HQ-2017-011806 has been processed with the following final disposition: No records.
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