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FPCD-76-51 1 (1976-12-21)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaabza0001 and id is 1 raw text is: DOCUNENT ]RESUJME 00647 - [A0590772] Actions Needed to Imprcve the Federal Communications Commission's Financial Disclosure Syster. FPCD-76-51; B-103987; B-180226. December 21, 1976. 29 pp. Report to the Congress; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General. Issue Area: Personnel Management and Compensation: Employee Conflicts of Interest (301). Contart: Federal Personnel and Compensation Div. Budget Function: Miscellaneous: Financial Management :td Information Systems (1002); General Government: Central Pe. onnel Management (805). Organization Concernel: Federal Communicaticns CcmmissioLn. Congressional Relevance: House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce; Senate Committee on Ccmmerce; Congress. Authority: Federal Communications Act of 1934, sec. 4 (h) (47 U.S.C. 154(b); 18 U.S.C. 208). Executive Order 11222; 47 C.E.P. 19. Improvements that are needed in FCC's fivancial disc.os .re system were discussed in accordance with standards of ethical conduct for Government officials. Findings/Conclusions: Several weaknesses were found in the present system. C:iteria for identifying positicns requiring disclosure were too general. Procedures for collection, processing, and fcllcwup of statements were inadequate. The FCC interpretLticn of regulations allowed family members to have hcldings that would be prohibited if held directly. GAO felt that this practice could result in conflicts of interest. Reccmmendations: The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should develop adequate criteria and procedures for iientifying positions requiring disclosure, for pr(mpt collection of ,.tatements, and adequate followup. The chairman should develcp procedures to enatle supervisors to verify employee actions in disqualifying themselves from matters related to their holdings. Congress should enact amendtents to apply prohibition only to companies significantly regulated by FCC and to include constructive as well as direct interests of employees. jHTW)