Watchdog Calls For Probe Into Whether Acting US Atty. General Whitaker Violated Hatch Act

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2018) The Office of Special Counsel must open an investigation into whether acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker violated the Hatch Act by receiving political contributions while serving as a US federal employee following the release of his financial disclosure forms, American Oversight said a letter addressed to Special Counsel Henry Kerner on Wednesday.

"Whitaker's acceptance of these campaign contributions may constitute a violation of the Hatch Act's prohibition on federal employees' solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of political contributions," the letter said.

American Oversight pointed out that Whitaker could also be in violation of the Hatch Act's prohibition on US federal employees' running as a candidate for partisan political office. Whitaker maintained an active campaign committee after starting his position at the US Justice Department.

According to recent filings with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), Whitaker's campaign for the Senate received four political contributions totaling $8,800 between January 29 and February 2 of this year. Whitaker started his tenure at the Justice Department on October 4, 2017.

On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked the Justice Department to launch an investigation into communications between Whitaker and the White House in connection to the ongoing Russia investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

On November 7, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at the request President Donald Trump. The president said in a statement that Whitaker would fill the role of acting US Attorney General until a permanent replacement is found.

On Monday, three Democratic Senators filed a lawsuit to challenge Trump's appointment of Whitaker alleging that the president violated the Constitution's appointments clause.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about Whitaker's impact on the investigation of the Special Counsel, who is probing allegations of Trump-Russia collusion and Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion stating that the naming of Whitaker is within accepted practices as per US law and is in accordance with the US Constitution.

Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, insisting that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Russian officials have said the allegations were invented to excuse the election loss of a presidential candidate and deflect public attention from actual instances of election fraud and corruption.

Trump has also denied allegations of collusion and characterized the investigation as a political witch hunt that has not produced evidence in well over a year.