Fact Check: Under the panel’s ethical guidelines, members must resign any advisory consulting roles, whether paid or unpaid.

Fact Check: "Under the panel’s ethical guidelines, members must resign any advisory consulting roles, whether paid or unpaid."

What We Know

The claim that "under the panel’s ethical guidelines, members must resign any advisory consulting roles, whether paid or unpaid" has been reported in various media outlets, particularly in the context of advisory roles related to vaccine safety and public health. For instance, a recent article from the New York Times and another from the Seattle Times both assert that members of a specific advisory panel are required to resign from any advisory consulting roles, regardless of whether they are compensated for these roles.

However, the official guidelines and ethics rules applicable to federal employees, including those participating in advisory roles, indicate that while there are restrictions on outside employment and activities, the specifics can vary based on the context and the type of advisory role. According to the Ethics Rules Applicable to Employees Participating in OPM's Deferred Resignation Program, there are waivers and specific conditions under which employees can engage in outside activities, including advisory roles.

Analysis

The sources that support the claim (i.e., the New York Times and Seattle Times articles) are reputable news organizations but may not provide the full context of the ethical guidelines. They report a straightforward interpretation of the rules without delving into the nuances of the ethics regulations that govern federal employees.

On the other hand, the Ethics Rules Applicable to Employees Participating in OPM’s Deferred Resignation Program clarify that while employees are expected to adhere to federal ethics laws, there are exceptions that allow for outside employment and activities under certain conditions. This suggests that the claim may be an oversimplification of the actual guidelines, which do not categorically require resignation from all advisory roles.

The Published Ethics Advisory Opinions and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees further elaborate on the limitations and conditions under which federal employees can engage in outside consulting roles, indicating that while there are restrictions, they are not absolute and depend on specific circumstances.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that "under the panel’s ethical guidelines, members must resign any advisory consulting roles, whether paid or unpaid" is misleading. While there are ethical guidelines that govern outside employment for advisory panel members, the assertion that resignation is mandatory for all roles does not accurately reflect the nuances of the regulations. The guidelines allow for certain exceptions and conditions that can permit continued advisory roles, contradicting the absolute nature of the claim.

Sources

1. Ethics Rules Applicable to Employees Participating in ...
2. Published Ethics Advisory Opinions (Guide, Vol. 2B, Ch. 2)
3. 5 CFR Part 2635 -- Standards of Ethical Conduct for ...
4. HOUSE ETHICS MANUAL
5. Ethical Guidelines for Employees | Atlanta, GA
6. Kennedy's New Vaccine Advisers Helped Lawyers Raise ...
7. Kennedy's new vaccine advisers helped lawyers raise ...
8. Do Advisory Board Members Get Paid? - boardroomadvisors.co