Ethics Corner

This series on ethics presents cautionary examples drawn from the DoD Standards of Conduct Office Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures.

If you have questions about ethics or are unsure about a certain course of conduct, contact the NASCC Staff Judge Advocate’s office by calling (361) 961-3535.

Today’s story is about kickbacks.

A Department of Veterans Affairs employee was caught demanding and receiving kickbacks from a contractor doing business with her agency.

The VA employee and the contractor agreed that the employee would recommend the contractor’s services to her agency, and in return the contractor would give the employee kickbacks from the inflated prices it charged the government.

In all, the employee received $115,000 in kickbacks, although the scheme ended up costing the government much more—between $400,000 and $1 million.

On a side note, the VA employee was also indicted for conducting post-government employment negotiations with a company she was doing business with in her government capacity..