“SSA official” means an officer or employee of SSA or a person acting for or on behalf of SSA.

“Person who has been selected to be an SSA official” means any person who has been nominated or appointed to be an SSA official, or has been officially informed that she or he will be so nominated or appointed.

“Official act” means any decision or action on any question, matter, cause, suit, proceeding, or controversy, which may be pending at any time, in such SSA official’s official capacity.

All SSA officials and persons who have been selected to be SSA officials are prohibited from, directly or indirectly, demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, or agreeing to receive or accept anything of value, personally or for any other person or entity, in return for:

1. a. 

   Being influenced in the performance of any official act; or

2. b. 

   Being influenced to commit or aid in committing, or to collude in, or allow, any fraud, or make opportunity for the commission of any fraud, on the SSA or the United States; or

3. c. 

   Being induced to do or omit to do any act in violation of the official duty of such official or person.

Otherwise than as provided by SSA as compensation for performing official duties, SSA officials, former SSA officials, and persons who have been selected to be SSA officials are prohibited from, directly or indirectly, demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, or agreeing to receive or accept anything of value for or because of any official act performed or to be performed by such official or person.