### Question
What does official responsibility mean?


### Answer
**Official responsibility** has the following meaning in *18 U.S.C. § 202*:

> the direct administrative or operating authority, whether intermediate or final, and either exercisable alone or with others, and either personally or through subordinates, to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct Government action

#### Citation:
  - *18 U.S.C. § 202*
  - Heading: **PART I-CRIMES > CHAPTER 11-BRIBERY, GRAFT, AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST**

