5 C.F.R. § 2638.501 : Administrative Personnel — OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS — GOVERNMENT ETHICS — EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS PROGRAM — CORRECTIVE ACTION INVOLVING INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES — In general

This subpart addresses the Director's limited authority, pursuant to sections 402(b)(9) and 402(f)(2) of the Act, to take certain actions with regard to individual employees if the Director suspects a violation of a noncriminal government ethics law or regulation. Section 402(f)(5) of the Act prohibits the Director from making any finding regarding a violation of a criminal law. Therefore, the Director will refer possible criminal violations to an Inspector General or the Department of Justice, pursuant to §2638.502. If, however, the Director is concerned about a possible violation of a noncriminal government ethics law or regulation by an employee, the Director may notify the employee's agency, pursuant to §2638.503. In the rare circumstance that an agency does not address a matter after receiving this notice, the Director may use the procedures in §2638.504 to issue a nonbinding recommendation of a disciplinary action or an order to terminate an ongoing violation. Nothing in this subpart relieves an agency of its primary responsibility to ensure compliance with government ethics laws and regulations.