Federal · Title 31 — Money and Finance

31 U.S.C. § 329: Limitations on outside activities

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Treasury Department officers and employees are prohibited from certain outside business activities and personal benefit-taking. Violations result in fines, removal from office, and potential permanent bar from government service.

Read the full statutory text

be involved in trade or commerce; own any part of a vessel (except a pleasure vessel); buy or hold as a beneficiary in trust public property; be involved in buying or disposing of obligations of a State or the United States Government; and personally take or use a benefit gained from conducting business of the Department of the Treasury except as authorized by law. An officer violating this subsection shall be fined $3,000, removed from office, and thereafter may not hold an office of the Government. An individual (except prosecutors) giving information leading to the prosecution and conviction of an individual violating this subsection shall receive $1,500 of the fine when paid. carry on a trade or business in the funds, debts, or property of a State or the Government; and personally use a benefit gained from conducting business of the Department. An officer or employee violating this subsection shall be fined $500 and removed from office.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.