Lesson2

1. Specialty Crops
Inspection Division
USDA Specialty Crops Inspection Division 2015
Lesson 2
Integrity and Ethics

2. “Whoever is careless
with the truth in small
matters cannot be
trusted with important
matters”

3. “Honesty, integrity and
impartiality are the
cornerstones of the Specialty
Crops Inspection Division.”

4. • Relate the 14 principals of ethical conduct
to your position
• Describe various prohibited activities and
enforcement of violations
• Identify available resources
Lesson Objectives

5. Bronx, NY- Oct 27, 1999
Arrests for bribery
8 inspectors
14,000 certificates

6. Introduction to Ethics
Fourteen Principles
Of
Ethical Conduct

7. 1. Public service is a public trust,
requiring employees to place
loyalty to the Constitution, the
laws, and ethical principles above
private gain.

8. 1. Public Service

9. 2. Conflicting Interest

10. 3. Nonpublic Information

11. 4. An employee shall not, except pursuant to such
reasonable exceptions as are provided by
regulation, solicit or accept any gift or
other item of monetary value from any
person or entity seeking official action
from, doing business with, or
conducting activities regulated by the
employee's agency or whose interests may be
substantially affected by the performance or
nonperformance of the employee's duties.

12. 4. Gift Restrictions

13. 5. Employees shall put
forth honest effort in the
performance of their
duties.

14. 5. Performance Of Duties

15. 6. Employees shall make no
unauthorized commitments
or promises of any kind
purporting to bind the
government.

16. 6. Unauthorized Commitments

17. 7. Private Gain

18. Use of Position & Resources
• Position
• Title
• Authority
• Property
• Non-public information
• Time

19. 8. Preferential Treatment

20. 9. Property

21. 10. Outside Employment
Approval may be required before engaging in
an outside activity.

22. 11. Waste/Fraud/Abuse

23. 12. Obligations as Citizens

24. 13. Equal Opportunity

25. 14. Appearance of Conflict

26. • Former employees may be
prohibited from engaging in
certain activities
• May be disqualified from
working on a government
matter while seeking job
Post-Government Employment

27. Restrictions may apply to different categories
• Government employees
• Political appointees
• Advisory committee members
Restrictions generally do not apply to:
• Representatives on an advisory committee
• Independent contractors
Selected Employee Categories

28. Violations of ethics
criminal statute or
regulation are referred to
the appropriate authority
for action.
Enforcement

29. Who Do You Ask?
• Supervisor
• Ethics Officer
• OIG

30. If you suspect bribery, contact the Office
of the Inspector General (OIG)
• https://oig.hhs.gov/
Or the OIG Bribery Hotline
• 1-800-424-9121 or
• 202-720-7257
Resources

31. Sources for More Information
• USDA Office of Ethics
• U.S. Office of Government Ethics
• Published Federal and USDA documents

34. • Following the 14 common ethical principals
will help ensure that you are acting in an
acceptable manner and meeting regulatory
statues.
• The OIG is responsible for investigation
allegations of waste, fraud, abuse and other
misconduct, and is to be the first and only
contact in issues regarding bribery.
Lesson Wrap Up

35. • When an ethical issue arises, you should
ask your supervisor/ethics officer as
appropriate, who will refer you to a specific
office.
Lesson Wrap Up

36. Thank
You!
USDA Specialty Crops Inspection Division 2015