After nearly 30 years in Government service, there are rules about accepting any gifts or services that have a monetary amount or equivalent greater than $20. Any gift that exceeds this amount is reportable. There are some exceptions that apply to friendships that pre-existed your service or are long standing. For an example, I have worked within the DoD since 1993. I work with very close friends for over 20 years that I commonly help with house remodeling and projects. We also trade lunches and dinners and occasionally go on vacations. Sometimes it is a shared expense, other times it is gift like. I am preparing to retire and join the civilian contractor sector, but will be doing virtually all the same duties and will be working with my friends. We spoke to legal about how our relationships might have to change because of a change in employment. We were given a letter that deatiled that the past 20 years of behavior is acceptable in the future, as long as it meets existing precedent. If I increase my services or gifts to levels beyond what pre-exist, it will be construed as reportable gifts. If Justice Thomas has had a long term relationship with a wealthy friend before he gained prominence and the pre-existing relationship included gifts of joint vacations, then there should be no appearance of impropriety. Keep in mind that if there was a Quid pro quo condition where I was gaining advantage from my friends, then there is grounds for investigation and misconduct.

After nearly 30 years in Government service, there are rules about accepting any gifts or services that have a monetary amount or equivalent greater than $20. Any gift that exceeds this amount is reportable. There are some exceptions that apply to friendships that pre-existed your service or are long standing. For an example, I have worked within the DoD since 1993. I work with very close friends for over 20 years that I commonly help with house remodeling and projects. We also trade lunches and dinners and occasionally