CAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ACCEPT GIFTS TO THEMSELVES FROM NON-GOVERNMENT SOURCES?
Generally no, but there are some limited exceptions. People or companies outside the government often want to give gifts to government employees in the hope of receiving a return favor from that government employee. This could lead to government employees making decisions, not based on what’s best for the government, but based on favors owed to outside sources. For this reason, government employees may not solicit any gifts from outside sources and may not receive any outside compensation for performing their government duties. Government employees may not accept gifts from anyone who does business with the government and may not accept gifts from an outside source because of the government employee’s official position. HOWEVER, there are some exceptions: modest items of food and refreshments such as soft drinks; items of little intrinsic value such as greeting cards, pens, and plaques; benefits available to the public as a whole; and unsolicited gifts of $20 or less as long as they do
