Thread by @RickPetree

THREAD. I asked the USG Office of Government Ethics if a gift from a foreign government, accepted by someone mere days before assuming a senior USG position, would be reportable by a 'New Entrant' in his/her initial financial disclosure form. To my surprise, the answer is 'No.'

Here's the link to the instructions for filling out the 'New Entrant Report.' Note that in every other disclosure category, New Entrants are required to report on their compensation, etc. for some period *prior* to commencement of govt. service.
oge.gov/Web/278eGuide.…

For 'gifts' (item 9 in the list of disclosure categories), however, there is NO disclosure requirement. New Entrants are instructed to leave that field blank. In subsequent financial disclosure reports, reporting persons must report all gifts of more than a few hundred $'s.

This means that someone who's been named to a senior position in an incoming administration is free to accept valuable 'gifts' from foreign governments immediately prior to his installation, without anyone being the wiser.

In the light of allegations that key officials of the previous administration may have been subject to 'foreign influence' (former NSA Flynn comes to mind), this seems an important loophole that should be closed. @CREWcrew @waltshaub @Fahrenthold

@RWPUSA I’d be interested in your thoughts.