... of violating the Hatch act, according to a OSC report leaked to the Federal Times.
Federal Times:
GSA chief violated Hatch Act, OSC report finds
By DANIEL FRIEDMAN
May 22, 2007
An Office of Special Counsel report has found that General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan violated the Hatch Act, which bars federal officials from partisan political activity while on the job, sources say.
More after the jump.
I don't know how many of you watched Doan's testimony in front of the House Oversight and Gov't reform committee, but if you didn't, man. Talk about a perfect example of the 'memory defense' being performed by someone who is too incompetent to pull it off.
In case you missed it, I suggest that you watch the highlights courtesy of Think Progress. Make sure that you grab some popcorn, or alternatively a barf bag, depending on how you react to such things.
Here's the Wikipedia bio for your perusal. Interestingly enough, according to Wikipedia,
Doan was one of the first African Americans to integrate into the private school system in New Orleans in the early 1960’s
Really? Can anyone confirm this?
Back to the FT article:
The Office of Special Counsel announced its investigation last month.
As a Senate-confirmed appointee, Doan is exempt from some Hatch Act provisions faced by lower-level employees. And some experts have questioned whether her alleged statement constitutes a violation.
But OSC officials, without addressing a specific case, have said any official can violate the Hatch Act by making statements that lower-level employees take to imply that they should use agency resources to assist a political party or candidate.
The disclosure of Jennings’ presentation at the GSA meeting has prompted broader inquires by OSC and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee into whether similar presentations by White House officials at other Cabinet agencies violated or prompted violations of the Hatch Act.
The White House has acknowledged that political officials gave briefings to top appointees at almost every agency except the Justice and Defense departments. But a spokesperson has said the presentations were appropriate "informational briefings" made to inform federal appointees "about the political landscape in which they implement the president’s policies and priorities."
I can't help but smile.
What with all the news coming down the pipes these days, it's important to remember that we are winning the war against Republicans subverting our Democracy, even if we lose individual fights.
Do not give up hope! I will continue to fight for what I believe in no matter what happens, and I trust that you all will do the same.
Edit - forgot to Hat Tip to the incomparable Talking Points Memo, one of the best sites on the net!