Georgia Secretary of State Press Office

Secretary of State’s Ethics Policy Addresses Gift Ban, and Post-Agency Employment Conflicts

HANDEL IMPLEMENTS NEW AGENCY ETHICS POLICY

ATLANTA – Calling for her office to maintain the highest ethical standards, Secretary of State Karen Handel implemented a new employee ethics policy. “In reviewing the agency’s policy, there were a number of areas that needed to be addressed and/or clarified,” explained Secretary Handel.

The most significant changes involve gifts, nepotism, conflict of interest, and post-agency conflicts. Employees are prohibited from accepting gifts of value in excess of $25 from anyone representing interests before the agency. Additionally, employees are prohibited from using their position to advance the cause or business interests of a family member. Finally, upon leaving the agency’s employment, agency employees will be subject to one-year ‘cooling off’ period before being allowed to lobby or advocate for an entity with the agency.

The ‘cooling off’ period of one year allows for a reasonable timeframe between agency employment and employment with a vendor or consultant seeking to do business with our agency, and the gift ban is just good policy in an environment of lobbyists and large contracts,” said Handel. “These are small measures that will send a big message to our citizens about how we will do their business and conduct ourselves.“

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our business community, our government, and our citizens. These services include an efficient and secure election process, and the regulation of corporations, securities, and professional license holders. The Office also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.

For Immediate Release February 15, 2007	FFI Contact:Matt Carrothers Director of Communications 404.656.5792

Secretary of State’s Ethics Policy Addresses Gift Ban, and Post-Agency Employment Conflicts HANDEL IMPLEMENTS NEW AGENCY ETHICS POLICY ATLANTA – Calling for her office to maintain the highest ethical standards, Secretary of State Karen Handel implemented a new employee ethics policy. “In reviewing the agency’s policy, there were a number of areas that needed to be addressed and/or clarified,” explained Secretary Handel. The most significant changes involve gifts, nepotism, conflict of interest, and post-agency conflicts. Employees are prohibited from accepting gifts of value in excess of $25 from anyone representing interests before the agency. Additionally, employees are prohibited from using their position to advance the cause or business interests of a family member. Finally, upon leaving the agency’s employment, agency employees will be subject to one-year ‘cooling off’ period before being allowed to lobby or advocate for an entity with the agency. The ‘cooling off’ period of one year allows for a reasonable timeframe between agency employment and employment with a vendor or consultant seeking to do business with our agency, and the gift ban is just good policy in an environment of lobbyists and large contracts,” said Handel. “These are small measures that will send a big message to our citizens about how we will do their business and conduct ourselves.“ Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our business community, our government, and our citizens. These services include an efficient and secure election process, and the regulation of corporations, securities, and professional license holders. The Office also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.