§ 6-26. Solicitation prohibited.

(a) In general.

Except as permitted under subsection (b) of this section, a public servant may not solicit or facilitate the solicitation of a gift, whether on the public servant's own behalf or on behalf of another person, from any person that the public servant knows or has reason to know:

(1) does or seeks to do business of any kind, regardless of amount:

(i) with the public servant's agency; or

(ii) with another person in connection with or in furtherance of a contract that is being negotiated or has been entered into by the other person with the public servant's agency;

(2) engages or seeks to engage in an activity that is regulated or controlled by the public servant's agency;

(3) is or, within the preceding 12 months, has been a lobbyist with respect to matters within the jurisdiction of the public servant;

(4) has a financial interest that might be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of the public servant's official duties; or

(5) is an owner, partner, officer, director, trustee, employee, or agent of any person described in items (1) through (4) of this subsection.

(b) Exception.

The prohibition in subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a solicitation if:

(1) it is for the benefit of an official governmental program or activity or a City-endorsed charitable function or activity; and

(2) it either:

(i) is expressly allowed by a rule or regulation of the Ethics Board; or

(ii) otherwise has been approved in advance by the Ethics Board, on the written request of the public servant and his or her agency.