Walter C. Lenahan's Compliance With Ethics Laws

In response to a congressional request, GAO testified on its preliminary investigation of allegations concerning a former Department of Commerce employee's compliance with conflict-of-interest, post-employment, and foreign agent registration laws. GAO determined that the employee: (1) might have violated a conflict-of-interest law because he discussed potential employment with three private firms while participating in trade negotiations which he knew would affect the firms' financial interests; (2) did not violate post-employment laws by advising his firm's clients on matters he dealt with when he held the position with Commerce; and (3) did not violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, although he was not registered under the act.