House panel looks into campaign finance law allegations against Postmaster General

WASHINGTON — There is a push for an investigation into the head of the U.S. Postal Service for alleged ethical and legal violations.

A Democratic-led House subcommittee held a hearing Monday and discussed reports that surfaced saying Postmaster General Louis DeJoy allegedly committed campaign finance law violations.

“We have a crony at the helm of our nation’s Postal Service,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia).

A Washington Post investigation said DeJoy allegedly pushed former employees at a North Carolina-based company to donate to Republican campaigns and reimbursed them using bonuses.

“I am calling on DeJoy to be fired or to resign,” said Lisa Graves, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of True North Research.

“This is a grave situation,” said Richard Painter, Professor of corporate law at the University of Minnesota Law School and former Chief White House Ethics Lawyer and Associate Counsel to former President George W. Bush.

Democrats said the ethical and legal questions are leading to concerns about the reliability of the mail and the timely delivery of the expected influx of mail-in ballots for the upcoming elections.

“How long can we expect the faith of the American people to last if the Postal Service is tainted by partisan leadership and alleged criminal activity?” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York).

Last month, DeJoy testified before Congress and defended the agency’s ability to handle the mail-in ballots.

“We will be able to handle all election mail,” DeJoy said in August.

Republicans Monday criticized Democrats for focusing on DeJoy and said lawmakers should instead look into reforming the U.S. Postal Service.

“We are using this valuable time to delve into conspiracy theories,” said Rep. Jody Hice (R-Georgia). “This is in my opinion as close to a kangaroo court as anything I’ve seen.”

“It is your job to investigate,” Painter told lawmakers. “This is not a kangaroo court. I am offended as an American and as a Republican for 30 years to hear that language used.”

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed DeJoy for documents related to mail delivery and the deadline for the submission in September 16.

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