WASHINGTON, D.C. — A former high-ranking official at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has consented to pay $59,000 to resolve claims that he breached federal conflict-of-interest regulations during his last days in public service.
Andrew L. Horn, who held the position of Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy, reportedly engaged in job discussions with a private firm while still involved in decisions that could influence the company’s financial stakes — a breach of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, which forbids executive branch employees from being personally and significantly engaged in issues that affect organizations with which they are pursuing future employment.
Federal officials assert that in January 2021, Horn was actively participating in a DOE issue that had major financial consequences for the same private firm with which he was negotiating a position as a compensated senior advisor. Although Horn has not acknowledged any wrongdoing, he has agreed to pay the civil fine as part of the settlement to address the allegations.
“The Office of Inspector General prioritizes the ethical conduct of executive branch officials and thoroughly investigates all allegations regarding potential misconduct,” said Lewe F. Sessions, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations at the DOE Office of Inspector General. He credited the Department of Justice, DOE OIG, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their coordinated efforts in bringing the case to resolution.
The case was managed by Trial Attorney Robbin O. Lee from the DOJ’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section. Officials pointed out that the settlement addresses only allegations and that no conclusion regarding liability has been reached.
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