thedrifter
10-25-08, 11:24 AM
Sears suspends military registry after ethics note
‘Improper solicitation’ by military personnel cited
By Lisa M. Novak, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, October 24, 2008
Sears has suspended its "Heroes At Home Wish Registry" after notification that the program violated ethics guidelines for military personnel.
A letter from the Office of General Counsel dated Oct. 14 notified the department store chain that "as structured, participation in the Wish Registry results in an improper solicitation."
Under the program, active-duty troops (E-6 and below) would create gift registries with Sears, which would in turn post profiles of the servicemember and his or her family on the store’s Web site.
Customers could then donate money to Sears, which would purchase store gift cards for that member.
Each registered military family could receive up to $550 in donations.
No money was actually collected because the program, which started in September, was only in the registration phase.
The donation phase was due to start in November, according to Sears spokesman Tom Aiello.
"We’re actively working to find resolution to still help our active duty military troops," Aiello said.
The letter sent to Sears explained that "ethics regulations prohibit government employees, including military personnel, from (directly or indirectly) soliciting or accepting gifts from a prohibited source (i.e. Sears) …because of their official position."
After the notification, Sears posted an announcement on its Web site informing customers the program was suspended.
"Please be assured that Sears will not be displaying any Wish Registry Profiles and will not make disbursements to any registered families until we have approval from the Department of Defense," reads the message posted on the Sears Web site.
Based on the counsel’s findings, the program would need major revision before getting a nod of approval from DOD.
"The Wish Registry program unavoidably results in military personnel improperly soliciting gifts in violation of the applicable government ethics regulations," the findings read.
"In general, government employees, including military personnel, shall not use public office for private gain."
Sears’ Heroes at Home program includes other projects that assist military veterans.
The department store chain works in partnership with the volunteer organization Rebuilding Together to provide military veterans with home upgrades.
Those programs are not in question, since they do not involve servicemembers on active duty, according to OSG officials.
The company will continue with its Heroes at Home Rebuilding Together campaign, which raised more than $5 million last year, according to the Sears Web site.
Ellie
‘Improper solicitation’ by military personnel cited
By Lisa M. Novak, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, October 24, 2008
Sears has suspended its "Heroes At Home Wish Registry" after notification that the program violated ethics guidelines for military personnel.
A letter from the Office of General Counsel dated Oct. 14 notified the department store chain that "as structured, participation in the Wish Registry results in an improper solicitation."
Under the program, active-duty troops (E-6 and below) would create gift registries with Sears, which would in turn post profiles of the servicemember and his or her family on the store’s Web site.
Customers could then donate money to Sears, which would purchase store gift cards for that member.
Each registered military family could receive up to $550 in donations.
No money was actually collected because the program, which started in September, was only in the registration phase.
The donation phase was due to start in November, according to Sears spokesman Tom Aiello.
"We’re actively working to find resolution to still help our active duty military troops," Aiello said.
The letter sent to Sears explained that "ethics regulations prohibit government employees, including military personnel, from (directly or indirectly) soliciting or accepting gifts from a prohibited source (i.e. Sears) …because of their official position."
After the notification, Sears posted an announcement on its Web site informing customers the program was suspended.
"Please be assured that Sears will not be displaying any Wish Registry Profiles and will not make disbursements to any registered families until we have approval from the Department of Defense," reads the message posted on the Sears Web site.
Based on the counsel’s findings, the program would need major revision before getting a nod of approval from DOD.
"The Wish Registry program unavoidably results in military personnel improperly soliciting gifts in violation of the applicable government ethics regulations," the findings read.
"In general, government employees, including military personnel, shall not use public office for private gain."
Sears’ Heroes at Home program includes other projects that assist military veterans.
The department store chain works in partnership with the volunteer organization Rebuilding Together to provide military veterans with home upgrades.
Those programs are not in question, since they do not involve servicemembers on active duty, according to OSG officials.
The company will continue with its Heroes at Home Rebuilding Together campaign, which raised more than $5 million last year, according to the Sears Web site.
Ellie