(a) Whoever, being a public official, is or acts as an agent of a foreign principal required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 or a lobbyist required to register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 in connection with the representation of a foreign entity, as defined in section 3(6) of that Act shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.
(b) Nothing in this section shall apply to the employment of any agent of a foreign principal as a special Government employee in any case in which the head of the employing agency certifies that such employment is required in the national interest. A copy of any certification under this paragraph shall be forwarded by the head of such agency to the Attorney General who shall cause the same to be filed with the registration statement and other documents filed by such agent, and made available for public inspection in accordance with section 6 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended.
(c) For the purpose of this section “public official” means Member of Congress, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, either before or after he has qualified, or an officer or employee or person acting for or on behalf of the United States, or any department, agency, or branch of Government thereof, including the District of Columbia, in any official function, under or by authority of any such department, agency, or branch of Government.
Structure US Code
Title 18— CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 11— BRIBERY, GRAFT, AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
§ 201. Bribery of public officials and witnesses
§ 203. Compensation to Members of Congress, officers, and others in matters affecting the Government
§ 206. Exemption of retired officers of the uniformed services
§ 208. Acts affecting a personal financial interest
§ 209. Salary of Government officials and employees payable only by United States
§ 210. Offer to procure appointive public office
§ 211. Acceptance or solicitation to obtain appointive public office
§ 212. Offer of loan or gratuity to financial institution examiner
§ 213. Acceptance of loan or gratuity by financial institution examiner
§ 214. Offer for procurement of Federal Reserve bank loan and discount of commercial paper
§ 215. Receipt of commissions or gifts for procuring loans
§ 216. Penalties and injunctions
§ 217. Acceptance of consideration for adjustment of farm indebtedness
§ 218. Voiding transactions in violation of chapter; recovery by the United States
§ 219. Officers and employees acting as agents of foreign principals
[§§ 221, 222. Renumbered §§ 216, 217]
§ 224. Bribery in sporting contests
§ 225. Continuing financial crimes enterprise