2023 Annual Ethics Training

Question #4

As part of a comprehensive response to Hurricane Zoe, ASPR intends to set up a Hurricane Preparedness Education Grant (H-PEG) for medical facilities in areas most often hit by these disasters.

Before the H-PEG program is announced, Mel, an ASPR employee, sends a Facebook message to a hospital administrator, Jean, informing her of the grant's parameters and eligibility requirements. The specifics of the H-PEG program are not yet public knowledge. Mel does not directly work on the H-PEG program, but program highlights are generally known within his office.

Has Mel violated the prohibition against misuse of nonpublic information? A. Yes, Mel has violated the misuse of nonpublic information rule because details about the H-PEG program have not yet been made public through official channels
B. Yes, Mel has violated the misuse of nonpublic information rule because he made this disclosure to Jean over social media instead of a more secure medium
C. No, Mel has not violated the misuse of nonpublic information rule because program details are widely known within his office
D. No, Mel has not violated the misuse of nonpublic information rule because Jean does not stand to financially gain in her personal capacity