18 U.S. Code § 440 - Mail contracts

Whoever, being a person employed in the Postal Service, becomes interested in any contract for carrying the mail, or acts as agent, with or without compensation, for any contractor or person offering to become a contractor in any business before the Postal Service, shall be fined under this title [1] or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(3), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

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[1]  See 1994 Amendment note below.

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 356 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 226, 35 Stat. 1134).

Provision for dismissal from office was omitted since this might be handled better administratively.

Changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322, which directed the amendment of this section by substituting “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”, was executed by making the substitution for “fined not more than $5,000”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1970—Pub. L. 91–375 substituted “Postal Service” for “Post Office Department” before “, shall be fined”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service and published by it in the Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service.