SAF/GCA - Fiscal and Administrative Law (2) The Fiscal and Administrative Law division has responsibilities in several distinct practice areas. Attorneys in this division provide advice and assistance in the following: fiscal law, ethics, civilian personnel law, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act, Air Force organization and administration, claims, and accident and safety investigations. Fiscal Law As the Office of General Counsel's experts in fiscal law, the Office of the Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) is responsible for providing advice relating to the proper use of appropriated funds non-appropriated, Antideficiency Act violations, the interpretation of annual National Defense Authorization Acts, National Defense Appropriation Acts, and Continuing Resolutions, as well as various accounting and finance issues. Legal advice regarding the following areas is provided for by our office: -- Antideficiency Act Violations -- National Defense Authorization Acts, National Defense Appropriation Acts, and Continuing Resolutions -- Pay and Entitlements -- Travel -- Use of Official Representation Funds -- Use of Non-Appropriated Funds -- Tax Matters -- General Fiscal Issues Ethics One of the practice areas of the Office of the Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) is that of ethics and standards of conduct. This division is responsible for providing advice to the General Counsel in her capacity as the Designated Agency Ethics Official. Attorneys in this division are also responsible for interpreting the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), resolving conflict of interest problems of new Presidential appointees and other senior Secretariat officials, managing the financial disclosure reporting system for the Secretariat, and counseling employees with respect to post employment restrictions, official invitations, gifts, travel, outside activities, and relations with non-federal entities. Mission Statement Aiming to be the premier ethics program in the United States Federal Government, the ethics center provides ethics leadership to all Air Force personnel through training, education, and case-specific guidance, offering legal advice to ensure public confidence in the integrity of government officials. Our center upholds the Air Force values of integrity, service, and excellence. Legal advice regarding the following areas is provided for by our office: -- Conflict of Interest Issues -- Endorsements -- Financial Disclosure Reporting (OGE-450s and SF-278s) -- Fundraising -- Gifts -- Gifts From Outside Sources (pamphlet) -- Interpretations of the Joint Ethics Regulations (JER) -- Misuse of Position -- Official Invitations -- Political Activities -- Political Nominations -- Post-Government Service Restrictions and Off-Duty Employment -- Off-Duty Employment (pamphlet) -- Post-Government Employment (pamphlet) -- Post-Government Employment -- SES (memorandum) -- Relations with Non-Federal Entities -- Travel Civilian Personnel The Office of the Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) is responsible for various legal issues relating to civilian personnel, including interpretations of Title 5, equal employment opportunity matters, adverse actions (e.g. separation and suspension), Senior Executive Service matters, whistle blowers and liaison with the Office of Special Counsel, and labor-management relations. Legal advice regarding the following areas is provided for by our office: -- General Civilian Personnel Issues (e.g. Title 5 Interpretations) -- Equal Employment Opportunity -- Adverse Actions -- Senior Executive Service Matters -- Whistleblower Protection and Office of Special Counsel -- Labor-Management Relations FOIA and Privacy Act Issues Attorneys within the Office of the Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) are responsible for providing advice relating to all aspects of information disclosure laws such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act. The Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) is responsible for deciding all appeals from lower level denials of information requested under the FOIA. Legal advice regarding the following area is provided for by our office: -- FOIA and Privacy Act Organizational / Administrative Matters and Delegations of Authority The Office of the Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) is responsible for providing advice relating to general legal issues surrounding organizational and administrative matters including Air Force organic statutes, the authority of Air Force officials, interpretation of the Goldwater-Nichols Act and the organizational relationship of the Secretary of the Air Force with the Secretary of Defense and the Chief of Staff, and delegations of authority such as Secretary of the Air Force Orders (SAFOs) and delegation memoranda. Legal advice regarding the following areas is provided for by our office: -- Authority of Air Force Officials -- Organizational Issues -- Delegations of Authority -- Secretary of the Air Force Orders (SAFO) Claims The Office of General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) advises the Secretary of the Air Force and his staff on various Federal claims statutes that compensate U.S. and foreign citizens for personal injury, death, or loss of property due to the acts or omissions of Air Force personnel. Accident and Safety Investigations The Office of General Counsel (Fiscal and Administrative Law) advises the Secretary of the Air Force and his staff on the legal aspects of investigating Air Force ground, air, and space mishaps. Issues range from compliance with public law to preserving confidentiality and executive privilege.