Money for Political Appointments? Public Citizen Demands Release of Report on Corruption in Trump Transition
Public Citizen sent a letter to Trump transition co-chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, asking that the transition team’s internal report on influential Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn be made public.
According to numerous published reports, transition team lawyers have conducted an investigation of Epshteyn and the allegations that he demanded payment from individuals under possible consideration for political appointments by Mr. Trump.
The letter, sent by Public Citizen co-presidents Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman, contends that “If Mr. Epshteyn’s influence was shaped by inappropriate financial considerations – either positively by anyone making payment or adversely by anyone refusing – the American people have a right to know.”
Commenting on the matter, Robert Weissman said: “If a pay-for-play operation has corrupted the political appointment process in the Trump transition, as seems to be the case, the full facts must be disclosed to the American people. If one of Mr. Trump’s close advisors has been compromised by personal monetary considerations, then the personnel selection process itself has been compromised.”