Review of Department of Commerce Actions To Improve Its Financial Disclosure System

Gao ID: FPCD-78-42 April 13, 1978

Subsequent to issuance of the GAO report "Problems Found in the Financial Disclosure System for Department of Commerce Employees," Commerce established a task group to develop proposals for changes in the financial disclosure system and to establish plans for implementation.

The task group developed four independent studies, but no further action was taken to improve the financial disclosure system; and the GAO recommendations were not implemented. The status of 18 interests held by Maritime Administration employees which were questioned in the report was as follows: (1) eight were determined not to be conflicts of interest; (2) nine were divested; and (3) one was not resolved because of an agency oversight. Of 27 financial disclosure statements of Maritime Administration employees reviewed, one financial interest raised the appearance of a conflict of interest. The employee agreed to disqualify himself from performing duties which would involve the company in which the stock was held.



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