All articles tagged with #ethics violations
Ethics experts suggest that the Biden administration's statements blaming Democrats for the government shutdown may violate the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities of federal employees, and have filed complaints against agencies promoting partisan messages during the shutdown.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse of potential ethical violations for demanding Justice Samuel Alito's recusal from certain cases, claiming their actions constitute improper ex-parte communication with the Supreme Court. McConnell argued that such conduct breaches the American Bar Association's code of conduct and called for the Supreme Court to address the issue.
Former New York Rep. George Santos has announced his plans to run for Congress again, challenging Rep. Nick LaLota in New York's First Congressional District. Santos, who was previously expelled from Congress due to ethics violations and faces federal charges, expressed his intention to debate LaLota on the issues and criticized his record as a Republican. LaLota responded by stating his commitment to raising the standard in Congress and holding Santos accountable, indicating his willingness to beat him in a primary election.
Rema Vassar resigned as chair of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees following a report alleging ethics violations, prompting the board to refer her to the governor for review and strip her of committee appointments.
Arizona House member Leezah Sun has resigned following a report by the House Committee on Ethics that found her guilty of ethics violations and a pattern of inappropriate behavior, including threatening a city official and attempting to influence a child custody case. Another House member, Amish Shaw, also announced his resignation to focus on his Congressional campaign, making it the second resignation from the Arizona Legislature in less than a week.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that a special election to fill the House seat left vacant by the expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) will take place on February 13. Santos was expelled from Congress after a House Ethics Committee report revealed numerous crimes and ethical violations, including fabricating parts of his biography. He is also facing federal criminal charges. Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D) has already announced his candidacy for the seat, while Santos has endorsed retired New York police detective Mike Sapraicone. The special election presents an opportunity for Democrats to flip the seat and gain an advantage in the fight for the House majority in 2024.
Former Rep. George Santos, who was recently expelled for alleged ethics violations, has vowed to file ethics complaints against several of his former colleagues in the House of Representatives. Santos plans to target Republican representatives Nicole Malliotakis and Mike Lawler for alleged stock trading and campaign finance violations, respectively. He also raised questions about Democratic Representative Rob Menendez's ties to his father, Senator Bob Menendez, who is under investigation by the Department of Justice. The accused representatives have not yet responded to Santos' allegations.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized ousted Rep. George Santos for leaving the House chamber before the conclusion of his expulsion vote, calling him a "coward." Santos, who has been accused of ethics violations, including fraud and campaign finance crimes, is the sixth lawmaker to be expelled from the House. Pelosi emphasized the seriousness of the vote and the need to uphold the dignity and respect of the House of Representatives. The historic bipartisan vote of 311-114-2 to expel Santos followed two unsuccessful attempts. Santos maintains his innocence and refuses to leave Congress voluntarily.
GOP Rep. George Santos has been expelled from the House of Representatives over ethics violations. The next steps include the House Clerk assuming control of his office and making decisions on its behalf, while a special election will be scheduled by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to fill the vacancy. Santos retains certain privileges as a former member until convicted of a felony, but the House could make rules changes regarding those privileges. Santos has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including fraud and misusing campaign funds.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans suggested that investigations against her may be driven by race, stating that targeting Black leadership appears to be prevalent. Cantrell, a Democrat, addressed ongoing federal investigations against her for ethical violations during a press conference. The Louisiana Board of Ethics accused Cantrell of upgrading to first-class on city-funded flight tickets, which violates state law and city travel policy. Cantrell argued that the COVID-19 threat and security concerns justified her actions. She expressed uncertainty about the specific charges and stated that she will comply but is not in favor of them. Cantrell previously faced a failed recall effort in 2022.
A California judge has preliminarily found John Eastman, a former attorney for Donald Trump, culpable of ethics violations in a state bar disciplinary case related to his efforts to help Trump overturn the 2020 election results. The preliminary finding by State Bar Court Judge Yvette D. Roland opens the possibility of severe sanctions, including disbarment, if a final finding of culpability is issued. The trial is set to conclude on Friday, and both parties will have the option to appeal the decision. This case is part of a broader effort by disciplinary authorities across the country to target attorneys who assisted Trump after the election.
Tensions reached a boiling point at a Michigan State University Board of Trustees meeting as calls for the resignation or removal of board chair Rema Vassar intensified. Trustee Brianna Scott outlined a series of ethical violations she accused Vassar of, including overstepping her role, bullying the interim president, and misrepresenting her willingness to procure documents related to Larry Nassar. Vassar denied the accusations and called for clearer ethics guidelines. Racial tensions were also evident, with supporters of Vassar claiming she was being targeted due to her race. No decisions were made regarding Vassar's position, but students expressed frustration and vowed to continue fighting for their concerns.
The Louisville Metro Ethics Commission has unanimously found Metro Council member Anthony Piagentini guilty of six out of seven ethics violations related to his involvement in a $40 million federal grant for his future employer. The commission has recommended his removal from the Metro Council and imposed a $3,000 fine. Piagentini plans to fight the ruling and called it a "complete travesty of justice." The full council will now vote on his removal, with a two-thirds majority required. Mayor Craig Greenberg has stated that his administration will swiftly respond to the violations to preserve public trust in Metro Government.
Former U.S. ambassador Richard G. Olson Jr. has been sentenced to three years probation and a $93,350 fine for violating federal lobbying and ethics laws. Olson, who pleaded guilty to two federal misdemeanors, failed to disclose receiving an $18,000 first-class ticket and illicitly lobbied for the government of Qatar. While investigating a related case, the FBI uncovered embarrassing incidents from Olson's past, including undisclosed gifts and extramarital affairs. Despite not receiving a prison sentence, the judge stated that Olson had lost integrity in the eyes of the American public.
Former US Ambassador Robert Olson, once hailed as a distinguished diplomat, has been sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $93,400 for lying in ethics paperwork and violating lobbying laws. Olson's fall from grace involved extramarital affairs, unreported gifts of diamond jewelry, and accusations of lies and illegal lobbying. His arrival in Islamabad as ambassador to Pakistan in 2012 marked the beginning of a scandal-filled few years, with court documents revealing his risky behavior and vulnerability to blackmail. Despite escaping jail time, Olson's case has shocked the typically rule-following world of US diplomacy.