In response to new advice late Tues. by Office of Govt. Ethics (O...

what hosts paid for party as gift represents change from earlier this week (CD Jan 22 p1). After AP reported party, hosted at her Great Falls, Va., home by 6 lobbyists she counts as personal friends, Victory said Commerce Dept.’s Ethics Office had ruled “benefit” didn’t qualify as reportable gift. Commerce Dept. spokeswoman said Wed. that OGE subsequently asked department to re-interpret calculation used to make original assessment whether gift had to be reported. Based on that math, Victory now will report party as gift in amendment to her financial disclosure form for 2001, spokeswoman said. Gen. Counsel’s office at Commerce Dept. initially had interpreted federal ethics standards based on Victory’s portion of party, spokeswoman said. What has changed in latest calculation is that she had suggested list of some people to be invited to party, spokeswoman said. Dollar threshold for what had to be reported as acceptable gifts in 2001 was $260 under federal guidelines, officials said Tues. “The pro rata shares of the invitees moves that above the $260 limit,” spokeswoman said. Original ruling examined only Victory’s share of party costs, spokeswoman said. Updated advice late Tues. from OGE came after Victory asked Gen. Counsel’s office to take another look at how it reached conclusion on whether gift had to be reported. “What she had done at the beginning was exactly what she was supposed to do,” spokeswoman said, noting that she had asked Gen. Counsel’s office to vet party in advance: “A few days ago she asked them to take a look at it again.” Hosts of party listed on invitation were lobbyists for Cingular, CTIA, Motorola, SBC and partner at Wiley, Rein & Fielding. Motorola Vp Richard Barth, not his company, was co-host of party, spokesman said. “It was his initiative motivated by personal friendship,” Motorola spokesman said. “He has said he doesn’t remember if he later got reimbursed for it.”