June 2026 Newsletter

Ashley D. Cooks

Director of Government Ethics 

Financial Disclosure

The May 15th deadline for timely filing of Public and Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports has now passed but this does not mean the end of financial disclosure season. OGE is reviewing the Financial Disclosure Review Reports from agency ethics counselors and will start sending out notices to delinquent filers. We will also continue to reach out to ethics counselors as we audit the filed Financial Disclosure Reports to identify potential conflicts of interest.

Ethics counselors are reminded that filers who are leaving District employment should file a termination financial disclosure report within three months of their departure from the office or position. Ethics counselors should work with agency HR to advise departing employees about their disclosure obligations and to make sure the agency has the correct address and personal email for departing employees to ensure they meet their filing obligations.

Disclosure forms filed late by President Trump listed at least $220 million in transactions in securities, including those linked to companies such as Oracle, Meta Platforms, Bank of America, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs. Transactions in securities exceeding $1,000 are required to be reported no later than 45 days after the transaction. President Trump was fined $200 for each late transactions report, with each report including multiple late transactions. Read more about the filings here.

A nonprofit organization has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General (“DOT IG”) to investigate whether Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy violated federal ethics rules by participating in a reality show called “The Great American Road Trip.” The group is asking the DOT IG to investigate whether the show, which involved Secretary Duffy and his family touring the country, violated gifts and travel rules and other standards of conduct. DOT has stated production costs for the trip were paid for by an outside organization, the Great American Road Trip, Inc., but the complaint alleges the trip was funded by contributions to that nonprofit from companies regulated by DOT including United Airlines, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Boeing. Read more here and read the complaint here.

Question: I serve as Chief of Staff at a District agency. As the mayoral race heats up, there’s growing concern about our agency’s future—policies and budgets could shift dramatically depending on who’s elected. At a candidate forum I attended last night, Candidate A claimed that if Candidate B wins, our agency’s budget will be eliminated, and 50 employees will be terminated. I want to address this with staff to prepare them, but I’m uncertain about the Local Hatch Act limits. Specifically, may I hold an optional all-staff, after-hours meeting—solely to inform them that their jobs could be at risk if Candidate B is elected—and remind them to consider this when voting? I wouldn’t tell anyone how to vote; I just want to make them aware. Does this comply with the Local Hatch Act? 

Answer: Thank you for reaching out to BEGA. I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing a challenging crossroads. We understand that you want the best for your staff and your agency as a whole; however, District government employees have a duty to comply with the Local Hatch Act. The Local Hatch Act is the District law that restricts political activity by District government employees to ensure that government resources, authority, and the workplace are not used to influence the outcome of an election. Under the Local Hatch Act, District government employees: 

• MAY NOT use their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election.   

• MAY take an active part in political management or in political campaigns, including working on or managing a campaign.   

• MAY NOT knowingly solicit, accept, or receive a political contribution from any person for a partisan District‑regulated election (unless the employee is a filed candidate).   

• MAY contribute money to political campaigns, political parties, or partisan political groups.   

• MAY attend and be active at political rallies and meetings.   

• MAY NOT file as a candidate for election to a partisan political office in a District‑regulated election.   

• MAY file as a candidate for election to a nonpartisan political office in a District‑regulated election.   

• MAY NOT coerce, explicitly or implicitly, any subordinate employee to engage in political activity.   

• MAY register and vote as they choose.   

• MAY assist in voter registration drives.   

• MAY attend and be active at political rallies and meetings.   

• MAY NOT engage in political activity while:   
  • on duty   
  • in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties of the District government   
  • wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee   
  • using any vehicle owned or leased by the District   
• MAY join and be an active member of political clubs or parties.   

• MAY hold office in political clubs or parties.   

• MAY express opinions about candidates and issues. If the expression is political activity, it may not occur while on duty, in a District building, wearing an official uniform/insignia, or using a District vehicle. 

Based on these rules, and your position as COS, you are subject to the Local Hatch Act, thus you may not hold a staff meeting, during or outside work hours, in your official capacity to warn employees that their jobs may depend on the outcome of a mayoral race or to encourage them to consider this when voting. Doing so would be considered using your official authority to influence your subordinates’ political decisions, which is prohibited. 

If you have questions about the Local Hatch Act, please contact BEGA at (202) 481‑3411.