This section contains a searchable index of key judicial opinions about the conflict of interest statutes from the Federal courts.
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals interpreted 18 U.S.C. ยง 205 as barring an employee from acting as agent or attorney before any government agency in any particular matter in which the U. S. is a party or has a direct and substantial interest. The Court determined that an employee does not act as "agent" for another person unless the employee has actual or apparent authority to act on behalf of that person in dealings with the government.
The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals held that 18 U.S.C. 205(a)(2) does not prohibit uncompensated communications by a government employee, on behalf of a public interest group, to an agency at which he is not employed. Congress did not intend to bar federal employees from representing outside interests in every matter in which the U.S. has an interest.