A former senior Energy Department official has agreed to pay $59,000 to resolve allegations that he violated federal conflict-of-interest rules while negotiating a private-sector job, according to a Justice Department press release.
Andrew L. Horn, who served as senior advisor to the Energy Secretary, allegedly worked on federal matters that benefited a company while he was simultaneously pursuing employment with it.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about the revolving door between public service and private industry. Federal ethics rules prohibit government employees from working on matters that could benefit prospective employers.
In January 2021, Horn “worked personally and substantially on a particular matter affecting the financial interests of a private company,” according to the Justice Department. At the time, he was allegedly in negotiations to join that same company as a paid senior advisor after leaving government.
The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 bars executive branch officials from participating in matters involving entities with which they are seeking employment.
Horn left the department in 2021. The civil settlement resolves the allegations without any admission of wrongdoing.
“The Office of Inspector General prioritizes the ethical conduct of executive branch officials and thoroughly investigates all allegations regarding potential misconduct with the thorough help of our colleagues at the Department of Justice,” said Lewe F. Sessions, assistant inspector general for investigations at the Energy Department.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the Energy Department’s inspector general, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
“The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability,” DOJ stated.