New Complaint Alleges Blanche Violated Hatch Act
Public Citizen Urges Office of the Special Counsel To Investigate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new complaint filed by Public Citizen on Monday alleges that Attorney General Todd Blanche violated the Hatch Act when he spoke at a campaign rally in Long Island, New York, in support of the gubernatorial campaign of the Republican candidate, Bruce Blakeman. The Hatch Act classifies the Attorney General as a “further restricted employee,” meaning it is illegal for those employees to take an active part in partisan political campaigns.
The complaint alleges that Blanche’s participation in the campaign rally along with President Donald Trump constitutes an active endorsement of the Republican candidate.
“Blanche’s blatantly partisan campaigning on behalf of a Republican candidate is yet another reason why he is unfit to be Attorney General,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen. “As he has repeatedly made clear, Blanche’s priority will always be Trump and his political allies, never the American people or the rule of law.”
Prohibited actions include:
- Campaigning for or against a candidate or slate of candidates.
- Making campaign speeches or engaging in other campaign activities to elect partisan candidates.
- Use their official titles or positions while engaged in political activity.
- Engage in political activity, i.e., activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group, while the employee is on duty.
“The Office of the Special Counsel should immediately investigate this egregious violation of the Hatch Act,” said Craig Holman, a government ethics lobbyist for Public Citizen. “The corrosive damage that partisan hacks like Blanche inflict on the Department of Justice and throughout our government will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to repair, even after they have left office.”
For more information on the Hatch Act violation, please contact [email protected] to be connected with an expert.