18 U.S.C. § 1902: Disclosure of crop…

Summary

Anyone who works for the U.S. government and, because of their job, learns nonpublic information that could change the market for crops grown in the United States must not tell people who are not allowed to get it. They also must not buy or sell those crops in any amount based on that information before it is released through official channels. If someone intentionally does either of these things, they can be fined or sent to prison for up to 10 years, or both. A person cannot be guilty of breaking agency rules unless they actually knew the rule before doing it.

Title 18, §1902

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever, being an officer, employee or person acting for or on behalf of the United States or any department or agency thereof, and having by virtue of his office, employment or position, become possessed of information which might influence or affect the market value of any product of the soil grown within the United States, which information is by law or by the rules of such department or agency required to be withheld from publication until a fixed time, willfully imparts, directly or indirectly, such information, or any part thereof, to any person not entitled under the law or the rules of the department or agency to receive the same; or, before such information is made public through regular official channels, directly or indirectly speculates in any such product by buying or selling the same in any quantity, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. No person shall be deemed guilty of a violation of any such rules, unless prior to such alleged violation he shall have had actual knowledge thereof.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 214 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 123, 35 Stat. 1110). Words “agency thereof” were inserted in lieu of “office thereof” at beginning of section in conformity with section 6 of this title. Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000” in first par.

§1902 Disclosure of Crop Information and Speculation Thereon