Use of GSA official programs to promote Republican candidates

This is a violation of the Hatch Act. Rove's deputy, Scott Jennings, had a powerpoint briefing on government property and during the work day to get GSA employees to determine what projects and procurement opportunities could by used to promote Republican candidates for House and Senate while damaging Democratic candidates for those bodies. From TPM Muckraker we get this UTube of General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan as she testifies about the meeting which she both attended and ended with an exhortation to the participants to get out and determine what GSA could do to promote "Our" [that is, "Republican"] candidates.



Since this meeting was so clearly a violation of the Hatch Act, Lurita Doan has a good reason to be afraid of giving testimony under oath to the House. The Penalties for a violation of the Hatch act is

An employee who violates the Hatch Act shall be removed from their position, and funds appropriated for the position from which removed thereafter may not be used to pay the employee or individual. However, if the Merit Systems Protection Board finds by unanimous vote that the violation does not warrant removal, a penalty of not less than 30 days' suspension without pay shall be imposed by direction of the Board.

I would speculate that Ms Doan also is afraid of what will happen to her if she testifies honestly. Karl Rove is not known to be kind to those who oppose or cross him.

The Gavel has more videos of the hearings.

[h/t to TPM.]