2634.607—Advice and opinions.
To assist employees in avoiding situations in which they might violate applicable financial disclosure laws and regulations:
(a)
The Director of the Office of Government Ethics shall render formal advisory opinions and informal advisory letters on generally applicable matters, or on important matters of first impression. See also subpart C of part 2638 of this chapter. The Director shall insure that these advisory opinions and letters are compiled, published, and made available to agency ethics officials and the public. Good faith reliance on such opinions shall provide a defense to any penalty or sanction provided by this part for fact situations indistinguishable in all material aspects from those in the opinion.
(b)
Designated agency ethics officials will offer advice and guidance to employees as needed, to assist them in complying with the requirements of the Act and this part on financial disclosure.