Mike Pompeo: State Department Staff Used for Personal Errands, Spouse Events Charged to Taxpayers
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The State Department IG's report, released in September 2020, found that Pompeo had used department staff and resources for personal and political purposes in violation of federal regulations. Staff described being directed to walk Pompeo's dog, pick up his dry cleaning, make restaurant reservations, and run other personal errands. Susan Pompeo, who had an official role as diplomatic spouse, used State Department resources for what the IG characterized as non-official events. At least 17 dinners charged to the State Department were found to include politically-oriented guests or personal guests rather than serving diplomatic purposes. Pompeo had fired IG Steve Linick in May 2020; Linick said the firing was retaliation for the investigation. Pompeo denied wrongdoing.
Overview
The State Department's inspector general found Pompeo used State Department staff to walk his dog and pick up his dry cleaning, directed staff to assist his wife with personal events, and charged at least 17 personally- or politically-oriented dinners to diplomatic hospitality accounts. He fired the inspector general conducting the investigation. The IG said the firing was retaliation.
The Errands
State Department staff described what they were asked to do: walk the Pompeos' dog. Pick up dry cleaning. Make restaurant reservations. Run errands. These tasks were unrelated to diplomacy or official State Department functions. Federal regulations prohibit using government employees for personal purposes.
Staff described these requests to the IG's investigators. Their accounts formed the basis of the report's findings.
The Wife Events and the Dinners
Susan Pompeo had a role accompanying her husband as Secretary of State. The IG found that some events organized with State Department assistance for Susan Pompeo did not meet the requirements for official diplomatic purposes.
The IG also found at least 17 dinners charged to diplomatic hospitality accounts that included guests or purposes inconsistent with official diplomatic entertainment. Diplomatic hospitality funds are appropriated for official functions — not for personal or political entertainment charged to the taxpayer.
The Firing
On May 15, 2020, while the investigation was ongoing, Pompeo asked Trump to fire IG Steve Linick. Trump acted without being told the reason. Linick told congressional investigators the firing was retaliation for his investigation into Pompeo's use of department resources.
The firing was one of four inspector general terminations in a single week in May 2020. Inspectors general are the independent internal watchdogs of executive branch agencies. Firing them while investigations are ongoing terminates those investigations.
The arms sale investigation — into whether Pompeo had improperly invoked emergency powers to push through $8 billion in Saudi arms sales over congressional objections — was also terminated by Linick's firing.
Timeline
Sequence of events
April 26, 2018
Pompeo confirmed as Secretary of State
Pompeo is confirmed as Secretary of State, transitioning from CIA Director. He brings personal staff preferences and begins using State Department staff and resources in ways that the IG will later find violate federal regulations.
May 15, 2020
Pompeo fires IG Linick — says to fire him, Trump acts without knowing reason
Pompeo requests that Trump fire Inspector General Steve Linick. Trump fires Linick, later saying he gave Pompeo one hour's notice and did not know the reason for the request. Linick says the firing was retaliation for his investigation into Pompeo's use of State Department resources. A second investigation — into the Saudi arms sale emergency declaration — is also terminated.
September 3, 2020
IG report released — personal errands, wife events, hospitality funds documented
The State Department IG releases its report finding that Pompeo used staff for personal errands including dog walking and dry cleaning, that his wife used State Department resources for personal events, and that diplomatic hospitality funds were used for events that did not meet official requirements. Pompeo denies wrongdoing.
Sources
- ↑ Pompeo Used State Dept. Staff for Personal Tasks, Inspector General Finds — The New York Times
- ↑ State Dept. IG: Pompeo used staff for personal errands, wife's events — The Washington Post
- ↑ State Department IG finds Pompeo used staff for personal errands — The Associated Press
- ↑ Review of Resources and Personnel Decisions at the Department of State — State Department Office of Inspector General
Verification