Former OGE Director Walter Shaub Joins POGO to Lead Ethics Initiative

Media Contacts:Danielle Brian, Executive Director at the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), [email protected]; Walter Shaub, Senior Ethics Fellow at POGO, [email protected]; or Caitlin MacNeal, Communications Manager at POGO, [email protected]

(WASHINGTON)—Former United States Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub is joining the Project On Government Oversight, where he will lead a new Ethics and Accountability Initiative.

Former President Donald Trump’s four years in office exposed significant gaps in the laws meant to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure executive branch accountability. But Trump’s departure from the Oval Office should not and cannot alleviate concerns about ethics in government. Elected officials from both parties have presented conflicts of interest, and nobody should be exempt from accountability.

So it’s time to prioritize significant, long-lasting reform to address these issues. Without a serious push to pass new laws, we’ll continue to see officials corrupted by conflicts of interest and who act with impunity.

With his experience leading the Office of Government Ethics for over four years, background as a career government ethics official, and prior service as an advisor to nonprofit government watchdogs, Shaub will bring extensive knowledge on ethics laws to POGO. He will advise POGO’s policy team on effective proposals for improving government accountability and serve as a spokesman for the initiative, unafraid to hold officials accountable.

“I’m excited to join POGO and get to work crafting and promoting effective ethics reforms that will help ensure the health of our democratic system and restore government integrity,” said Walter Shaub. “Over the past four years we’ve seen a flagrant disrespect for the ethics laws and norms designed to give the public confidence that our government is working on their behalf. Government integrity and accountability aren’t partisan issues—they’re American issues. This republic deserves a government that lives up to the highest ethical standards. I’ve long respected POGO’s fierce commitment to government ethics and accountability, and I’m honored to join such a smart, dedicated team of experts.”

Through this new Ethics and Accountability Initiative, Shaub and POGO will advocate for reforms like robust executive branch ethics laws, stricter limits on the use of emergency powers and the Office of Legal Counsel, and stronger congressional oversight powers. Only through reforms like these will we see an effective, ethical federal government that’s accountable to the people, not one influenced by the pursuit of personal and private gain or a system that infringes on constitutional checks and balances.

“We’re thrilled to have Walter Shaub join our team as we embark on this initiative to pass more robust ethics and accountability reforms,” said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project On Government Oversight. “His experience atop the Office of Government Ethics and on-going work within the good government community are invaluable, and we look forward to working with him to push lawmakers to pass meaningful democracy reform.”

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Founded in 1981, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that investigates and exposes waste, corruption, abuse of power, and when the government fails to serve the public or silences those who report wrongdoing.

We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles.