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Bush Official Broke the Law, Investigators Say

May 23, 2007 12:42 PM

Bush_official_b_mn A government investigation has found a top Bush administration official broke the law by encouraging subordinates to use their power to support Republican candidates for office, sources tell ABC News.

In a draft report, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) determined Lurita Doan, head of the $56 billion General Services Administration, violated the Hatch Act, which bars certain partisan political activity by government officials and employees, according to sources familiar with the document.

OSC confirmed Doan asked other GSA employees to think how their agency could help "our candidates," following a 2006 PowerPoint presentation by the White House political office on Republicans in tight congressional races, sources told ABC News.

The agency contracts for services, supplies and real estate on behalf of the entire federal government.

Special Counsel Scott Bloch sent a copy of the draft report to Doan's office for comment last week, confirmed OSC spokesman Jim Mitchell, who declined to discuss the report's findings. She has two weeks to respond, after which Bloch will forward the final report to President Bush along with his recommendations for action. Bloch could advise the president to suspend or fire Doan for the infraction.

The report may place the White House in the awkward position of disciplining a senior official for taking political action in response to a White House political presentation. Despite Bloch's advice, experts say President Bush is not likely to fire Doan.

"You've had presidential appointees do worse and not generate presidential action," said Paul Light, an expert on the executive branch and professor at New York University. "I think he'll accept her protestation that she did nothing wrong, and he'll let her stand. That's just been his habit."

Neither GSA nor the White House responded to requests for comment.

Doan is currently facing a separate investigation by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee into charges she improperly intervened in contracting issues. The panel, which first revealed allegations of Doan's comments at the White House political office briefing, is also probing whether other agencies hosted White House presentations similar to the one at which the OSC reportedly concluded Doan broke the law.

Do you have a tip for Brian Ross & the Investigative Team?

May 23, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (38)

User Comments

Wow I am suprised a GWB offical broke the law. Big Suprise there yeah right.
They have been breaking laws for the last eight years.

Posted by: Emily | May 23, 2007 4:02:54 PM

Gore was making campaign calls from his Federal office ("no controlling Legal authority")and the Clinton/Gore campaign was taking cash from foreign nationals and officers of the Chinese Communist Army but that was OK...

Posted by: kevin | May 23, 2007 4:18:34 PM

From top to bottom, this has been the most lawless administration in over a century. How Bush manages to escape impeachment is a mystery - he must have pictures.

Posted by: Butch Dillon | May 23, 2007 4:56:34 PM

Hey ABC, report on the numerous discrepancies by DEMOCRATS for a change. Feinstein, Reid, H. Clinton all should be investigated by Congress and at least reported on by the media. REPORT ON DEMOCRAT CORRUPTION NOW!! STOP PLAYING PRETEND PRESS AND DO YOUR JOB!! Republicans are constantly, unfairly targeted in discriminatory fashion in order to prop up these Democrats who themselves are the epitomy of career, special interest, politicians. Every other article on here attempts to paint the Bush administration as corrupt. This is laughable.

Posted by: ratchet | May 23, 2007 4:58:19 PM

out of 20 of the most
corrupt senators 3 are dems. That fraction is symbolic of the repub party, and the dems.

Posted by: rexy | May 23, 2007 5:38:06 PM

When all else fails, blame Clinton? Cute. Yeah, right. Don't look here. Don't look at what the Republicans did. Look over there. Hey, take personal responsiblity for the party you chose! They have so many, many more juicy scandals than the Democrats. Hubris. Arrogance. Pedophiles. Katrina. Multiple divorces. And the list continues to grow every day....

Posted by: Larry Houston | May 23, 2007 6:53:29 PM

The Bush administration is the 2nd most corrupt administration in the past 13 years. The Clinton corruption was at THE highest level. That's despite the Clinton's ability to keep things low key (with threats and the MSM).

Posted by: Billy | May 23, 2007 6:54:00 PM

I'm not sure that all else has failed by raising Clinton's name. He hasn't exactly left the public arena either. The point is that the MSM covers for Democrats and never for Republicans, in fact, they go out of their way to report "scandals" where none exist mostly on trumped up charges by Democrats who feed the MSM machine with misconceptions and misinterpretations of the law and ethics.

Posted by: ratchet | May 23, 2007 7:35:21 PM

That is a bunch of crap!

Posted by: vlemx | May 23, 2007 8:39:57 PM

The Hatch Act is pretty clear.

NO partisan politics in the workplace.

Enough already... fire anyone who violated it... especially managers who know better.

Posted by: Doc | May 23, 2007 8:43:37 PM

Bush has been in charge for the last 7 years, not Clinton. All the deaths, all the scandals, all the lies, all the Katrina victims are on HIS watch! Republican wrong-doings are MT. EVEREST in HEIGHT AND QUANTITY in comparison to the few Democrat wrong-doings you claim should be covered.

Posted by: Larry Houston | May 23, 2007 9:01:12 PM

ANY NEW COVERT ACTS ABC CAN TELL ME ABOUT?

ARE THERE ANY TOP SECRET PLANS ABC WANTS TO UNLEASH TO THE WORLD?

PLEEEASSE! TELL ME, TELL ME NOW!!!!

Posted by: JelloBiafra | May 23, 2007 9:18:59 PM

Instead of yelling at ABC, why haven't any of you macho armchair warhawks signed up to fight Bush's Occupation??

Posted by: Larry H | May 23, 2007 9:43:46 PM

The headline is innacurate I believe the lady works for the Federal Government and will be charged by the Federal government "Federal Official", not "Bush Official" but then that wouldn't sell. Accuracy in reporting is not a commodity of value any longer at ABC?

Posted by: Jerry Wood | May 23, 2007 11:19:04 PM

Don't sweat the small people.

They are all small people.

Except for a few...like Congressman Ron Paul.

It's not about Right or Left.

It's about Right or Wrong.

The problem is that Democrats are Tweedle Dee.

And Republicans are Tweedle Dum.

Vote American...not partisan.

Vote for Ron Paul 2008
A Man for All American Seasons

Posted by: Wizardofbahs | May 24, 2007 2:29:55 AM

VP Gore made phone calls from his office to demand money from democrat supporters for the DNC and his “war chest” and that was defended by the left. The dinosaur press and other democrats cried out that he had done no wrong. From what this story says all this person did was ask other republicans to THINK about what could be done to help the republicans in their states and districts. It does not even say if the people were in the office when the conversation took place! So now freedom of speech (by Republicans) is to become illegal!!

And the lady is a government employee, NOT a Bush official. She was not appointed to that office.

The socialist on the left will try anything to stomp on freedom!

Posted by: Thomas Austin | May 24, 2007 12:51:30 PM

Yes, she was appointed by Bush. The head of the GSA is a political appointee, not a civil service hire.

Posted by: Lily | May 24, 2007 3:10:38 PM

Repug bank robber to FBI agent:

But other people rob banks too!! This isn't fair!! Booo Hooo Hoo Hoo!! Waaah!! I want the law that I used against other changed now!!!

Posted by: RepugZapper | May 24, 2007 4:29:28 PM

Why is it often said by the liberal elitist Democrats that people who support Bush's War on Terror should all sign up for the military when they themselves, who support the goals of terrorism, don't feel they should have to join Al-Qaeda? Don't they realize that curtailing free speech is what the terrorists want? Placing stipulations on free speech is a kind of tyranny, one the liberals seem to desire for some odd reason.

Posted by: ratchet | May 24, 2007 4:55:57 PM

Wear your colors on your sleeve,(blue or red) because if we are attacked,(ever)again I want to know where I can find Democrates and Republicans, the two parties responsible for the deaths and the desruction of this one time great place call America. Now the NAU International trash can. All thanks to the War Munger GW Bush the great CHICKEN HAWK.

Posted by: JB | May 24, 2007 5:08:49 PM

"Placing stipulations on free speech"....why I remember back in 2004 when all my screaming NeoCon buddies were shouting down my free speech when I spoke bad of Bush. What hypocrites and whiny wittle babies the righties are. They can dish it out but when it all turns sour on 'em they boo hoo hoo all the way home....

Posted by: TomBob | May 24, 2007 9:00:36 PM

All this wrangling with the blues and the reds calling each other black gets us nowhere but to hell in a hand basket fast. I've got a radical idea. Why don't we find ways to work together as AMERICANS to solve problems rather than choosing a team to support as if life were one, big, political, Super Bowl contest? What common ground can we find?

I repeat: "It's not about Right or Left. It's about Right or Wrong." What can we agree on that is right about this country, which used to be a beacon to all who longed for liberty and freedom? What can we agree on that is wrong? Then...we can start to correct it. Radical, huh?

People across the political spectrum are attracted to the Ron Paul Revolution because he focuses on correcting what has gone abysmally wrong in the U.S.

Posted by: Wizardofbahs | May 25, 2007 12:30:50 AM

Attention Republicans: Please stop referring to the other party as "The Democrat Party" when you know perfectly well we are called the Democratic Party. One - it's deliberately disrespectful. Two - Everyone can see how slanted, unfair, SILLY, IGNORANT, and STUPID you're being when you do it. Would you say, "I took my wife out to a romant restaurant", instead of "romantic"? I think not. So cut the cow chips! After years of incivility from Republicans towards Democrats on talk radio, which has been overwhelmingly Republican for years, more and more people see how hypocritical you are now when you ask the other side to be civil to you; now that some Democratic politicians have finally gotten into office, despite all the election fraud on the Republican side.

Posted by: Attn: Republicans | May 25, 2007 10:35:28 PM

to Attn: republicans
Don't sweat the lack of grammatical education, after all, these are the Neanderthals whose main boy has his finger on the "nukular" button, who couldn't say Saddam H.'s name right, so they gave him to Moqtada Al Sadr to be lynched, before we could learn from whom he got the stuff to gas the insurgent Kurds (hint: from New York, via Amsterdam) and appointed a Jewish, pro Israel war chickenhawk to be ambassador to Indonesia, the country with the largest muslim population in the world, and think its OK to shoot their hunting partners while torturing innocents, so the grammatical error re "democrats" is par for the course...

Posted by: brian | May 27, 2007 2:24:02 AM

To wizardofbahs

Ron Paul is, if I am not mistaken, a registered republican, so there goes any hope of bi-partisanship. They all (left and right) talk about what they think is good for Americans, some ideas are actually good, most very partisan, but when the rubber actually hits the road at vote time, the promise is forgotten, and the vote goes to the party line, or to whomever paid the biggest bribe.

Lets hear someone openly declare war on corruption, and outline specific and concrete steps to achieve the goal. This is the single most important need of our country, as most other problems are symptoms of corruption. So far, nothing from anyone, including Mr. Paul.

Your idea has merit, but, as example, to some, ethnic minorities are one of their problems, to others, racial intolerance is. To some the economic disparity is a problem, to others, what is needed is more severe version of the status quo. To some, secular government is a problem, to others attempts to legislate religion is the problem.

Such opposing views cannot be reconciled by a Ron Paul, or by any one person, as they are negative side effects of uncontrolled capitalism, which, unfortunately is the corner stone of the US economic structure, and the catalyst for the corruption.

Posted by: brian | May 27, 2007 2:45:21 AM

Darling righties, You should keep in mind that only one (1) Clinton adminestration official was sent to jail.It was Ronald Reagan's adminestration who had so many jailbirds you don't have fingers or toes to count them.

Posted by: Johnny | May 27, 2007 3:35:23 AM

It is abut truth. The truth will set us free. It is about why we invaded Iraq even though this administration had classified documents from the C.I.A.telling them that all hell would break out if we invaded Iraq, which we did. It is about making this government accountable and at the same time finding new solutions to our energy problems. Believe me we all ready know how to create new energy. WE ARE TIED TO THE OLD OIL, WE ARE TIED TO GREED.We now have to let them know we are aware of the corruption and demand the truth.

Posted by: mary | May 27, 2007 6:32:26 AM

re: "Democrat Party"

Just try using the misnomer, "Republic Party" a few times and see how quickly the Chicken Hawks swoop down on you.

Then REALLY piss 'em off by referring to the GOP as "The Republican't Party."

Posted by: Blogo | May 28, 2007 9:10:52 PM

Ratchet. Your head is full of lies. You should wean yourself off of the FOX NEWS teat and try thinking for yourself for a change.

Do you ever question anything that they tell you? Do you ever research a story, try checking the facts? The MSM is flawed, in FAVOR of your party. Thats right, your party is WAY more corrupt than the MSM has even discussed. Recent testimony shows that Gonzo has (at the very least) committed perjury, and your president has committed a felony. ABC and CBS have not even mentioned it. You republicans were so big on the "RULE OF LAW" when Clinton lied about his personal sex life, but you don't mind when your prez and vp commit treason by outing a covert operative.
I know, ratchet, your friends on Fox say she wasn't covert. But the CIA says she WAS covert. Turn off fox and look it up. I don't say this to insult you, ratchet. I just think you are blindly following a bunch of liars. Its intellectually lazy and all you talking point spewing ditto heads need to make the effort to educate yourselves.

Posted by: hey Ratchet | May 28, 2007 11:21:34 PM

I wonder why ABC nor any of the other major networks have not done a news story on this crooked administration? We see the information on the Internet however the time was very limited on television, radio and in the print media. This is the reason why so many Americans are going to the BBC for news in America. They do a better job than our own media. I wonder why?

Posted by: godfather05 | May 29, 2007 4:19:23 PM

Forget about the Republican and the Democratic parties. They do not serve the best interest of the average American. Bring on the Independent party for a change.

Posted by: Ekanem | May 29, 2007 7:06:59 PM

He does have pictures, of you Butch Dillon. He also has pictures of Hillary, and Obama!

Chelsea Clinton went to Iraq.
She met the troops.
In a Q&A she asked, "What are you afraid of?"

A Marine in the crowd stood up and said, "Osama!"

She nodded.

A second Marine stood up and said, "Obama!"

She nodded.

Finally a third Marine stood up and said, "Yo Mama!"

She nodded!~

Posted by: Lol Lol | May 29, 2007 8:35:15 PM

I am so disappointed in my party and all the scandals that seem to be coming into the light that I cant even defend them anymore, I realize that the democrats are not much better but we were brought into office to set a higher standard and it seems like we are in the same cesspool the dems play in.

If this is the best we have we are in serious trouble.

Posted by: ucantseeme | May 29, 2007 9:40:38 PM

Democan'ts & Republicrats: Two sides of a wooden nickel. You get exactly the kind of government you deserve.

Posted by: Tim McNullen | May 31, 2007 4:08:19 AM

Ratchet...what the hell are you smoking?You need oxygen to your brain...quick!!!

Posted by: Jacqueline | May 31, 2007 2:26:13 PM

Throughout the Reagan and Bush I administrations, everytime things were going badly, they would most always blame the Carter administration. The same thing occurred during Nixon's term in office when things were blamed on Johnson. That is, until Watergate came along. The point is, if you make a mistake, own up to it, claim it, make it yours and accept responsibility for it. Don't blame others for your wrongdoing, and don't try to deflect blame away from yourself by pointing out that someone else or other people have done or are doing the same thing. Also, don't make the claim that others have committed what you consider to be more greivous offenses. Remember what the Master said about "pointing out the mote in another's eye when you have a beam in your own eye." It seems to me that die-hard conservative republicans who blindly support the Bush administration's policies on everything from the war in Iraq to domestic issues and anything in between are always extremely quick to point out Clinton's mistakes. It's as if they are saying that Bush is relieved of the responsibility for any mistakes he makes simply because Clinton made some mistakes, too. Wellll, as the "Gipper" was fond of saying, two wrongs don't make a right, and an ill advised war with Iraq and all of the lying and twisting of the intelligence in the run up to the war to hoodwink the American people into supporting the invasion and the tens of thousands of deaths caused by this war, not to mention the hundreds of billions of dollars already spent, are much worse than how and where a stain came to be on a woman's dress.

Posted by: rapsie01 | May 31, 2007 8:52:00 PM

Is there anyone in the Bush administration that hasen`t broken or changed the law to self serve themselves? A Terorrist is anyone or people(group)that threatens the every day way of life. That puts this administration at the top of the list.

Posted by: JB | Jun 1, 2007 12:43:44 PM

American is just control by the party. Not American people

Posted by: Alice | Jun 4, 2007 8:47:04 AM

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