bega

BEGA's 2026 Ethics Week

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 22:37:51 +0000

Building:

The Executive Building

Room:

5th floor Conference Center

Location:

1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Details:

ETHICS WEEK 2026 “Transitioning Ethically” October 13-16, 2026

Course Schedule

Courses subject to change. All courses (except Friday's courses) are hybrid and will be offered both in-person at BEGA’s offices at 1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 700 West and virtually. Friday, October 16th courses will be virtual ONLY. You must register for each session individually. After registration, you will receive an email, accept each course to your calendar from that email. For ADA accommodations, contact bega.training@dc.gov. For technical issues, contact our IT Representative Kevin Brown, kevin.brown@dc.gov.

Day 1 - Tuesday, October 13, 2026

10:00 - 10:30am

OGE Director’s Introduction and 2026 Financial Disclosure Season Recognition - A discussion on how partnership and collaboration help Ethics Counselors be effective in their role.

Asia Stewart-Mitchell, BEGA General Counsel
Amber Anderson, OGE Supervisory Attorney Advisor

******LUNCH BREAK – 12:00 – 1:30pm******

1:30 - 2:30pm

Ethics for Managers - Tips and tricks on how to maintain a successful financial disclosure program at your agency.

Courtnae Brown, OGE Attorney Advisor

3:45 - 4:30pm

Jurisdictional Jam: How to Identify Jurisdictional Issues and Align with Other Agencies and Law Enforcement - Day 2 - Wednesday, October 14, 2026 (In Person)

10:00 - 12:00pm

The Invisible Facade: Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills to Prevent and Detect Hidden Ethical Dilemmas - ******LUNCH BREAK – 12:00 –1:30pm******

1:30 - 2:30pm

Ethics SHOWDOWN! - As administrations change, so do professional landscapes. This session equips government employees with the knowledge needed
to manage post‑government employment plans and outside work responsibly during a transition period. The course explains key ethics
rules, cooling‑off restrictions, and approval requirements, helping employees make informed decisions while safeguarding the integrity
of public service.

Amber Anderson, OGE Supervisory Attorney Advisor

3:40 - 4:30pm

What in the Ethics? - Day 3 - Thursday, October 15, 2026

10:00 - 10:30am

OOG Director’s Introduction - This course is a discussion of the District’s Open Meetings Act.

Joan Lelma, OOG Attorney Advisor

******LUNCH BREAK – 11:30 – 1:00pm ******

1:00 - 2:00pm

Introduction to the DC Freedom of Information Act - This course is an overview of recent FOIA and OMA Advisory Opinions and Advice issued by the Office of Open Government.

Anthony J. Scerbo, OOG Attorney Advisor

3:15 - 4:00pm

Recent Opinions from the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel (MOLC) - Day 4 - Friday, October 16, 2026 (Virtual)

10:30 - 11:30am

Legal Ethics for Government Attorneys - A discussion on the transition of the Executive from an ethical lens.

Betsy Cavendish, EOM General Counsel
Lynn Tran, BEGA Senior Attorney Advisor
Asia Stewart-Mitchell, BEGA General Counsel

******END******

Attachment(s):

Ethics Week 2026 Course Schedule (3).pdf

October 13, 2026 - 10:00 am EDT to October 16, 2026 - 12:45 pm EDT

26-0004-F In re Cleo Subido Memorandum Opinion and Order Motion to Compel 9.3.26

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:01:57 +0000

Publication Type:

Orders

Mayor Name Change:

Attachment(s):

26-0004-F In re Cleo Subido Memorandum Opinion and Order Motion to Compel 9.3.26.pdf

Topic(s):

BEGA

FOIA Category:

Not FOIA

Cleo Subido Memorandum Opinion and Order Motion to Compel 9.3.26

Friday, September 4, 2026

Disclaimer Type:

PDF Disclaimer [PDF]

Reference:

26-0004-F

BEGA Lobbying Registration & Reporting Fee UPDATE

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:08:36 +0000

Monday, August 31, 2026

The District of Columbia Council passed the B26-0661 - Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026, amending Lobbyist Registration, Fees, and Late Filing Fees starting on October 1, 2026,

Attachment(s):

BEGA PRESS RELEASE 9.1.2026 Lobbyist Registration Fees and Fines Updates_.pdf

September 2026 Board Meeting

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:07:38 +0000

Publication Type:

Minutes

Mayor Name Change:

Attachment(s):

9-3-26 draft agenda.pdf

9-3-26 draft meeting minutes.pdf

Topic(s):

BEGA

FOIA Category:

The minutes of all proceedings of all public bodies

The recording of the meeting can be found

Monday, August 31, 2026

Disclaimer Type:

PDF Disclaimer [PDF]

August 2026 Newsletter

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:59:23 +0000

Thursday, August 13, 2026

BEGA August 2026 Newsletter

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 08/13/2026 04:00 PM EDT

Volume 11, Issue 4

August 2026

A Message From the Director

Greetings BEGA Friends,

I hope your summer has been filled with sunrays and relaxation. Soon school will be back in session followed by fall foliage. Along with the change in seasons, also comes changes to our schedules, daily routines, and habits. As humans we are constantly transitioning to new and sometimes familiar seasons within our lives. This is the reason its important to have a consistent ethics and compliance program.

The importance of an ethics and compliance program goes far beyond detecting misconduct, it actually helps us to recognize and avoid unwanted risks to the government and its reputation. The ethics program is responsible for increasing awareness of the ethics rules, advising employees, investigating suspected misconduct, and holding employees accountable for their actions. The success of any government depends on consistency within its ethics rules and employees. Be sure to join us for Ethics Week 2026 to discuss "Transitioning Ethically".

Ashley D. Cooks

Director of Government Ethics

New and Notable

Ethics Week 2026

BEGA’s annual Ethics Weeks is almost here. We hope you can join us for a full slate of ethics and open government programming. We will include returning favorites such as Legal Ethics for Government Attorneys as well as new programming geared towards ethics counselors. Look for a final schedule with registration links coming soon.

Financial Disclosure Enforcement

BEGA sent a Notice of Non-Compliance this week to FDS filers who failed to timely file their confidential and public disclosure reports for 2026, reporting on 2025. Late and non-filers must submit payment of the fine by Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Individuals who fail to pay the fine by the due date will be subject to either wage garnishment by the Office of Pay and Retirement Services (for current employees) or enforcement by the DC Central Collections Unit (for former employees). Individuals who have not filed their report MUST still file either the public or confidential Financial Disclosure Statement even after payment of the fine.

Upcoming Events

General Ethics Training

Local Hatch Act Training

Outside Employment Training

Enforcement Updates

26-0030-P In re J. Zollarcoffer

The Board approved a negotiated disposition with a former Investigator with the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) for violations of DPM §§ 1808.1, 1800.3(g), and 1803.1 for personal use of an ABCA vehicle, using his official position to obtain free or reduced good and services from an ABCA licensee, and soliciting and accepting gifts from a prohibited source. The agreement included a $6,000 fine. Read the agreement here.

26-0013-P T. Leray Negotiated Disposition

The Board approved a negotiated disposition with a $4,000 civil penalty with a DC Public School Speech Pathologist who was also employed as an Assistant Professor of Speech Pathology at Marymount University for violations of DPM §§ 1807.1(a) and (b). Respondent attended meetings and conducted business for Marymount University during her scheduled District tour of duty without taking appropriate leave or while claiming regular pay of telework and the frequency of these occurrences interfered with her availability to perform her official District responsibilities. Read the agreement here.

25-0116-P S. Hamlin Negotiated Disposition

The Board approved a negotiated disposition with a former Program Analyst with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for two counts of violating DPM § 1807.1(h). Respondent owned and operated a special education consulting company and submitted proposals and invoices on behalf of that company to a DCPS high school, violating the prohibition against representing a third party in a matter before the District. Read the agreement here.

Ethics in the News

Annual financial disclosure reports filed by Supreme Court justices show several authors among the justices along with information about outside teaching income, gifts and travel. Justices Sotomayor, Barrett, and Gorsuch reported royalty income while Justice Jackson reported income from a book advance. Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Barrett, Cavanagh, and Thomas reported teaching income while Justice Sotomayor reported receiving concert tickets and Justice Jackson reported a gift of a portrait that will hang in her chambers. Disclosure reports for the justices have received renewed attention in recent years after reports that some of the justices may have filed to report luxury travel and gifts. Read more about the disclosures

State and Local Ethics

Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Sylvia Luke, was indicted on charges of bribery, criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, and falsifying campaign finance reports as part of an investigation into an alleged $35,000 bribe paid to her in 2022, when she was a state legislator. The Lt. Gov was one of five individuals, including a former state representative and a former official with the state’s public utilities commission, who were charged as part of the alleged bribery scheme. The state charges stem from allegations that a business provided campaign contributions in exchange for support for state funding for Covid-19 community testing sites that he operated. Read more

The San Francisco Ethics Commission approved an agreement with a city supervisor for violations of the city’s gifts and conflict of interest rules. The supervisor agreed to pay a $4,500 fine for accepting a portrait valued at $5,500 from a nonprofit organization that received city funding and voting to approve a $4.8 million increase in a contract with another nonprofit organization that previously paid for him to attend a conference in Colorado. The supervisor was fined $500 for accepting a gift over the limit, $500 for not disclosing the gift on his annual financial disclosure report, and $3,500 for his vote on the contract. Read more

Ask BEGA

Question: I serve as a Social Media Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointment. Recently, while off-duty, a Democratic candidate for a DC Council seat approached me and asked if I would post their donation link in my agency’s official bio—no public post needed. I would do this in my official capacity because he supports our agency and seems aligned to what we strive for here at MOTA; however, I wanted to check in with you all first. Is this permissible under the Local Hatch Act?

Answer: While the Local Hatch Act allows District government employees to participate in political campaigns, it strictly prohibits fundraising for any District‑regulated partisan campaign. Employees may not solicit, accept, or promote political contributions unless they are running for a non‑partisan District office themselves. They also may not engage in fundraising for a partisan District campaign in any capacity.

Although employees may work on or manage campaigns, they cannot fundraise for a District‑regulated partisan candidate. They may only fundraise for:

Their own non‑partisan District campaign, or
Any non‑District‑regulated campaign (partisan or non‑partisan).

Additionally, employees may not use official authority or official social media accounts to support a candidate. Placing a fundraising link in an agency bio is considered soliciting or promoting political contributions, which is expressly prohibited. BEGA’s Social Media Quick Guide confirms that official accounts cannot be used to support candidates or solicit donations.

Examples of Allowed Activities (off-duty, personal capacity only):

Working on or managing a campaign
Volunteering, distributing literature, or signing petitions
Contributing personal funds to campaigns or parties
Attending political events like rallies or meetings
Joining or holding office in political clubs or parties
Assisting voter registration drives
Following or commenting on a candidate’s personal social media (non–fundraising content)
Displaying campaign signs at home
Expressing opinions about candidates or issues outside of work and government premises

What You May Not Do (even off‑duty):

Fundraise for a partisan District campaign
Solicit or promote contributions (including via official bios or social media)
Use your official title, position, or agency accounts to support any candidate or party

We encourage you to review the resources linked below:

Subscribe to updates from District of Columbia

Email Addresse.g. name@example.com

Share Bulletin

Attachment(s):

BEGA August 2026 Newsletter.pdf

26-0030-P J. Zollarcoffer Negotiated Disposition

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:07:15 +0000

Publication Type:

Dispositions

Mayor Name Change:

Attachment(s):

26-0030-P J. Zollarcoffer ND_Redacted.pdf

Topic(s):

BEGA

FOIA Category:

Not FOIA

Respondent violated DPM 1808.1 by using a government vehicle without authorization. Respondent violated DPM 1800.3(g) by requesting that a District licensed establishment reduce or void his personal bill. In addition, Respondent violated DPM 1803.1 by soliciting and accepting free or reduced‑cost goods from a prohibited source.

Monday, August 10, 2026

Disclaimer Type:

PDF Disclaimer [PDF]

Reference:

26-0030-P

Outside Activity by Board Member

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:21:51 +0000

Publication Type:

Advisory Opinions

Mayor Name Change:

Attachment(s):

6.26.26 Final Advisory Opinion - Outside Activity by Board Member.pdf

Audience(s):

Topic(s):

FOIA Category:

Outside Activity by Board Member

Monday, August 10, 2026

Disclaimer Type:

PDF Disclaimer [PDF]

26-0004-F Cleo Subido Order (Updated)

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:37:39 +0000

Publication Type:

Orders

Mayor Name Change:

Attachment(s):

26-0004-F In re Cleo Subido Order 8.6.26.pdf

Topic(s):

BEGA

FOIA Category:

Not FOIA

26-0004-F In re Cleo Subido Order - Motion to Continue Hearing

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Disclaimer Type:

PDF Disclaimer [PDF]

Reference:

26-0004-F

BEGA Publishes FY2026 Q3 Complaint Summary Report

kevin.brown@dc.gov — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:52:27 +0000

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

BEGA Releases Quarterly Complaint Summary Report for FY2026 Quarter 3

The District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (“BEGA”) released its Quarterly Complaint Summary Report for the third quarter of FY 2026, covering the period from April 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
During FY 2026 Q3, the Office of Government Ethics (“OGE”), an office within BEGA that investigates alleged violations of the District’s Code of Conduct by employees and public officials, closed 87 matters. Less than half the matters (45.98% or 40 out of 87 matters) involved allegations that were outside of BEGA’s jurisdiction.

For the 48 closed matters within BEGA’s jurisdiction, allegations involving rules governing outside employment or activities accounted for ten matters (21.28%), while allegations involving conflicts of interest accounted for nine matters (19.15%), and alleged preferential treatment or lack of impartiality accounted for seven matters (14.89%). There were four matters (8.51%) involving allegations of using public office for private gain and three matters each (6.38%) for alleged violations of the rules governing gifts and donations, violations of the Local Hatch Act or political activity, misuse of government property/resources/vehicles, and violations of the nepotism rules. Two matters each (4.26%) stemmed from allegations that employees failed to put forth honest effort in the performance of their official duties or violated the post-employment rules.

Code of Conduct Category	Number	Percent
Outside Employment/Activity	10	21.28%
Conflict of Interest	9	19.15%
Preferential Treatment/Impartiality	7	14.89%
Public Office for Private Gain	4	8.51%
Gifts/Donation	3	6.38%
Local Hatch Act/Political Activity	3	6.38%
Misuse of Government Property/Resources/Vehicle	3	6.38%
Nepotism	3	6.38%
Failure to put forth an honest effort in the performance of their duties	2	4.26%
Post-Employment	2	4.26%
Representation Violation	1	2.13%
Grand Total	47	100.00%