Castro violated Hatch Act by touting Clinton
Source: CNN
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro violated a federal law against mixing official business with politics when he touted Hillary Clinton in an April interview with Yahoo's Katie Couric, the Office of Special Counsel said Monday.
Castro is a top surrogate for Clinton's presidential campaign and -- while not expected to be the choice -- is often mentioned on lists of vice presidential prospects.
He violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal workers acting in their official capacity from attempting to influence elections. In the Couric interview, he appeared with the official HUD seal, was introduced as the secretary and spent the first seven minutes focused on HUD programs before Couric turned to Clinton.
The Office of Special Counsel wrote: "Although he stated during the interview that he was 'taking off my HUD hat for a second and just speaking individually,' to indicate he was answering questions in his personal capacity, that disclaimer could not negate the fact that he was appearing in his official capacity for the rest of the interview, as the official HUD seal remained behind him and his political comments were bracketed by statements concerning official HUD policies and programs.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/18/politics/julian-castro-hatch-act-hillary-clinton/index.html
I think we know he won't be on the short list now. That's too bad as I like Julian.
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)"Sec'y Castro, when and where did you and Mrs Clinton meet in order to discuss your violation of the law? Was it by email? Telephone? A wink and a nod?"
bucolic_frolic
(43,311 posts)Democrats are too trusting, they have to beware of dirty tricks and
being baited, even when the source seems mainstream.
LiberalFighter
(51,104 posts)asjr
(10,479 posts)of a way to get to Hillary Clinton.
The Second Stone
(2,900 posts)all too plainly when they do.
BlueStater
(7,596 posts)He's dead last in terms of my VP preferences.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)wasn't off-putting or anything.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)what is wrong with this picture??
uawchild
(2,208 posts)Politicians are elected because of their political views. Unelected Federal employees, including active military I believe, have to abide by the Hatch Act and be non-political while performing their duties.
hamsterjill
(15,224 posts)wiggs
(7,819 posts)dembotoz
(16,844 posts)MosheFeingold
(3,051 posts)He was my VP pick.
Not so much, anymore.