11 C.F.R. § 7.15 Ex parte communications.
Title 11 - Federal Elections
In order to avoid the possibility of prejudice, real or apparent, to the public interest in enforcement actions pending before the Commission pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437g(A) (1) or (2): (a) Except to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters as required by law (as, for example, during the normal course of an investigation or a conciliation effort), no Commissioner or employee involved in the decisional process shall make or entertain any ex parte communications. (b) The prohibition of this section shall apply from the time a complaint is filed with the Commission pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437(a)(1) or from the time that the Commission determines on the basis of information ascertained in the normal course of its supervisory responsibilities that it has reason to believe that a violation has occurred or may occur pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(2), and shall remain in force until the Commission has concluded all action with respect to the enforcement matter in question. (c) Any written communication prohibited by paragraph (a) of this section shall be delivered to the Ethics Officer of the Commission who shall place the communication in the file of the case. (d) A Commissioner or employee, other than the employee assigned to the case, involved in handling enforcement actions who receives an oral offer or any communication concerning any enforcement action pending before the Commission as described in paragraph (a) of this section shall decline to listen to such communication. If unsuccessful in preventing the communication, the Commissioner or employee shall advise the person making the communication that he or she will not consider the communication and shall prepare a statement setting forth the substance and circumstances of the communication within 48 hours of receipt of the communication and shall deliver the statement to the Ethics Officer for placing in the file in the manner set forth in paragraph (c) of this section.
Title 11: Federal Elections
PART 7—STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Subpart B—Conduct and Responsibilities of Employees or Commissioners
§ 7.15 Ex parte communications.
