Reading Room Document

Civil Division's Recommendations concerning Reimbursement of Legal Expenses

The document is a memorandum from the Department of Justice regarding the reimbursement of legal expenses for federal employees. The Civil Division has made two policy recommendations, one being that the Department should not reimburse employees for expenses incurred in the defense of federal criminal proceedings. The second recommendation is that the Department should not reimburse an employee for legal expenses incurred in a related civil action during the pendency of a federal criminal proceeding. The document also discusses the Attorney General's authority to provide legal representation for government employees and the limitations on that authority. It also addresses the issue of reimbursing employees for legal expenses incurred in nonfederal actions arising out of the performance of their official duties.

June 24, 1981