[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 11, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 11CFR111.22]

[Page 186]
 
                       TITLE 11--FEDERAL ELECTIONS
 
                 CHAPTER I--FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
 
PART 111--COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE (2 U.S.C. 437g, 437d(a))--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart A--Enforcement
 
Sec. 111.22  Ex parte communications.

    (a) In order to avoid the possibility of prejudice, real or 
apparent, to the public interest in enforcement actions pending before 
the Commission pursuant to 11 CFR part 111, except to the extent 
required for the disposition of ex parte matters as required by law (for 
example, during the normal course of an investigation or a conciliation 
effort), no interested person outside the agency shall make or cause to 
be made to any Commissioner or any member of any Commissioner's staff 
any ex parte communication relative to the factual or legal merits of 
any enforcement action, nor shall any Commissioner or member of any 
Commissioner's staff make or entertain any such ex parte communications.
    (b) The prohibition of this regulation shall apply from the time a 
complaint is filed with the Commission pursuant to 11 CFR part 111 or 
from the time that the Commission determines on the basis of information 
ascertained in the normal course of its supervisory responsibilities 
that it has reason to believe that a violation has occurred or may occur 
pursuant to 11 CFR part 111, and remains in force until the Commission 
has finally concluded all action with respect to the enforcement matter 
in question.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit contact 
between a respondent or respondent's attorney and any attorney or staff 
member of the Office of General Counsel in the course of representing 
the Commission or the respondent with respect to an enforcement 
proceeding or civil action. No statement made by such a Commission 
attorney or staff member during any such communication shall bind or 
estop the Commission in any way.