Originally Posted by
C17PSGR
I agree with what you said but bribing is a strong word. Federal ethics rules don't just restrict bribery, they restrict some practices that are generally acceptable in the private sector. In the private sector, someone who organizes a meeting at a hotel often receives points or other thank you incentives. In the federal world: stop! -- do not do this without written approval from your ethics counselor (which you likely will not get).
Don't disagree, but wasn't necessarily thinking about criminal law when I used the word "bribing".
As to government employees setting up government employee meetings at Marriott, I noticed the following restrictions as to earning points/night credits. "...government employees, officials, employees of SOEs and those acting on behalf of government agencies, departments and SOEs booking an event on behalf of their employing entity, as well as third-party commercial intermediaries booking on behalf of a non-U.S. governmental entity or SOE are not considered Qualified Rewards Members and are not eligible to participate in Rewarding Events."
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/earning.mi