POGO Joins Ethics Watchdogs in Demanding Transparency

By Liz Hempowicz | Filed under letter | September 15, 2017

The Honorable David Apol

Acting Director

U.S. Office of Government Ethics

1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 500

Washington, DC 20005

Dear Acting Director Apol,

We agree with the long-standing Office of Government Ethics practice that anonymous contributions from lobbyists to legal defense funds should be banned. We oppose the changing of the May 2017 disclaimer and urge you to remove the old, incorrect guidance.

As we are sure you are aware, in 1993, OGE issued informal guidance during the administration of William J. Clinton permitting such donations. Nonetheless, during the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama, practice shifted away from endorsing these donations—even though the 1993 letter was never withdrawn.

We welcome the White House statements that it is “not pushing for any change that allows anonymous donations... [and] is interested in identifying ways to have donors disclosed and to ensure no prohibited sources, including lobbyists, are contributing funds for the benefit of White House employees.” [1] We were also glad to see OGE’s press liaison state that “OGE policy on anonymous contributions has not changed” and that “OGE is continuing to recommend that funds include language prohibiting anonymous contributions.” [2]

OGE should promptly resolve the controversy and confusion about this matter by rescinding the 1993 letter and by formally and publicly reaffirming its long-standing policy against anonymous lobbyist contributions to legal defense funds. We also ask OGE to similarly clarify that gifts cannot be accepted from subordinates or anyone making the gift because of the appointee’s official position. Ethics best practices demand nothing less.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Gary D. Bass

Norman Eisen

Norman Ornstein

Richard Painter

American Oversight

Campaign Legal Center

Center for Media and Democracy

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)

Common Cause

Democracy 21

Every Voice

POGO

Sunlight Foundation

cc: Stefan C. Passantino

Deputy Counsel to the President

[1] Darren Samuelsohn, Trump Ethics Watchdog Moves to Allow Anonymous Gifts to Legal Defense Funds, Politico, Sept. 13, 2017.

[2] Allegra Kirkland, Report: Trump’s Ethics Office OK with Anonymous Gifts to Legal Defense Funds, TPM, Sept. 14, 2017.