Interference with civil service examinations
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, being a member or employee of the United States Office of Personnel Management or an individual in the public service, and —
(1) defeats, deceives, or obstructs an individual in respect of his right of examination according to the rules prescribed by the President under title 5 for the administration of the competitive service and the regulations prescribed by such Office under section 1302(a) of title 5;
(2) falsely marks, grades, estimates, or reports on the examination or proper standing of an individual examined;
(3) makes a false representation concerning the mark, grade, estimate, or report on the examination or proper standing of an individual examined, or concerning the individual examined; or
(4) furnishes to an individual any special or secret information for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects or chances of an individual examined, or to be examined, being appointed, employed, or promoted;
shall, for each offense, be not less than $100 or imprisoned not less than ten days nor more than one year, or both.
History: (Added Pub. L. 89–554, §3(d), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 609 (PDF, 47 MB); amended Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330010(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2143 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §601(a)(9), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime for Office of Personnel Management staff or other public servants to willfully and corruptly interfere with civil service exams. This includes blocking someone's right to take an exam, falsifying grades, lying about results, or giving secret information to help or hurt a candidate.