29 January 1998
Memorandum
To: File
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From:
Through:
Subject:
Paul J. Coleman
Special
Case Resolution
NSF OIG investigated to determine whether
Staff Associate in NSF-
the
- who served as a Senior
had a conflict of interests based on his NSF work on creating
and
retirement from NSF to become a employee.
We determined that on 12 September 1995, Dr-
and his subsequent
was approached by
,b-( who suggested that might be offered
Director position at . refused further, and sought guidance
. from QIIPII)in the Office of General Counsel regarding any conflicts issues created
by the discussion. -advised Dr. that the discussion did not present any
conflict issues. .
On 3 October 1995, was approached again by -- who offered him a
position with the -recused himself from further p%icipation in CRDF
matters in his NSF capacity, and sought further guidance from
replied that his earlier advice ot- had been based
had unequivocal1 re'ected the position, but said that was free to
reconsider the offer. 9 reply memo concluded that "The facts, as 1 understand
them to be, would not support a contention of misuse of office for private gain." He also
concluded that "I do not believe your continued employment discussions with the
would establish an a earance of impropriety on your part." We did not identify any
evidence thad a r t i c i p a t e d in matters in his NSF capacity after this point.
u b s e q u e n t l y retired from NSF to accept a position as Associate Director.
~ e c a u s iaised w the conflicts issue promptly with OGC and sought its guidance on
the matter, and because he acted in accordance with that guidance, we do not believe that he
has violated any conflicts laws or regulations, For this reason, this case is closed.
COI (NSF)
Published by the National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General on 1998-01-29.
Below is a raw (and likely hideous) rendition of the original report. (PDF)