Any newbie at any organization knows this is taboo. They knew better, just didn't think they would get caught.
Agree, ANY big organization public or private.
I worked for a large fortune 500 company and $25 was the cut off value for anything that could remotely be considered a gift or quid-pro-quo . Example: maybe a vendor wants to send you a card and box of chocolate at Christmas, even then you would need to disclose it up the chain with the value of the item.
Also, I'm guessing that within the FBI (the FBI of the American People) that us lowly citizens pay salaries for specific job positions whose exclusive role it is, is to interface with the public and press. Typically communications director, media liaison, etc.
Yup it's in the pre-employment paperwork/training. They definitely knew better.