-CITE-

     5 USC Sec. 2302(b)(2)                                             01/05/99

-EXPCITE-

    TITLE 5 - GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES

    PART III - EMPLOYEES

    Subpart A - General Provisions

    CHAPTER 23 - MERIT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES

-HEAD-

    Sec. 2302. Prohibited personnel practices

-STATUTE-

      (b) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to

    take, recommend, or approve any personnel action, shall not, with

    respect to such authority -

    [Intervening Text]

		(2) solicit or consider any recommendation or statement, oral

      	or written, with respect to any individual who requests or is

     		under consideration for any personnel action unless such

      	recommendation or statement is based on the personal knowledge or

      	records of the person furnishing it and consists of -

          	(A) an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude,

        	or general qualifications of such individual; or

          	(B) an evaluation of the character, loyalty, or suitability

       	 of such individual;