2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 1 - Government Organization › Chapter 11A - Ethics and Government Accountability › Subchapter II - Ethics Act › Part C - Conflicts of Interest › § 1–1162.23. Conflicts of interest

§ 1–1162.23. Conflicts of interest.
(a) No employee shall use his or her official position or title, or personally and substantially participate, through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in a judicial or other proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, charge, accusation, arrest, or other particular matter, or attempt to influence the outcome of a particular matter, in a manner that the employee knows is likely to have a direct and predictable effect on the employee’s financial interests or the financial interests of a person closely affiliated with the employee.
(b) An employee other than an elected official may seek a waiver, and the prohibition in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply, if the employee:
(1) Advises the employee’s supervisor and the Board of the nature and circumstances of the particular matter;
(2) Makes full disclosure of the financial interest; and
(3) Receives in advance a written determination made by both the supervisor and the Board that:
(A) The interest is not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services that the government may expect from the employee; or
(B) Another legally cognizable basis for waiver exists.
(c)(1) Any elected official who, in the discharge of the elected official’s official duties, would be required to act in any matter prohibited under subsection (a) of this section shall make full disclosure of the financial interest, prepare a written statement describing the matter and the nature of the potential conflict of interest, and deliver the statement to:
(A) In the case of a member of the Council, the Council Chairman; or
(B) In the case of an elected official other than a member of the Council, the Board.
(2) Any employee other than an elected official who, in the discharge of the employee’s official duties, would be required to act in any matter prohibited under subsection (a) of this section shall:
(A) Make full disclosure of the financial interest:
(B) Prepare a written statement describing the matter and the nature of the potential conflict of interest; and
(C) Deliver the statement to the employee’s supervisor and to the Board.
(3) During a proceeding in which an elected official would be required to take action in any matter that is prohibited under subsection (a) of this section, the Chairman shall:
(A) Read the statement provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection into the record of proceedings; and
(B) Excuse the elected official from votes, deliberations, and other actions on the matter.
(4) No Councilmember excused from votes, deliberations, or other actions on a matter shall in any way participate in or attempt to influence the outcome of the particular matter, in a manner that is likely to have a direct and predictable effect on the employee’s financial interests or the financial interests of a person closely affiliated with the employee.
(5) Upon receipt of the statement provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the employee’s supervisor shall assign the matter to another employee who does not have a potential conflict of interest.
(d)(1) An employee shall not receive any compensation, salary, or contribution to salary, gratuity, or any other thing of value from a source other than the District government for the employee’s performance of official duties.
(2) No employee or member of the employee’s household may knowingly acquire:
(A) Stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate, or other property, whether held individually or jointly, the acquisition of which could unduly influence or give the appearance of unduly influencing the employee in the conduct of his or her official duties and responsibilities; or
(B) An interest in a business or commercial enterprise that is related directly to the employee’s official duties, or which might otherwise be involved in an official action taken or recommended by the employee, or which is related to matters over which the employee could wield any influence, official or otherwise.
(Apr. 27, 2012, D.C. Law 19-124, § 223, 59 DCR 1862; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1083(y), 65 DCR 9388.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 1-1162.28, § 1-1164.01, and § 47-391.08.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1083(y)(1) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1083(y)(1) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).