WASHINGTON — President Biden once again omitted mention of free stays at the vacation homes of wealthy patrons in his annual ethics form released this week. Days after ProPublica won the Pulitzer Prize For documenting two Supreme Court justices who violated the same transparency rules.
Biden vacationed four times in 2023 at the homes of wealthy supporters, none of which were listed as gifts on documents. Signed by the President. The annual filing must be filed by federal officials, including judges and the president, under the Government Ethics Act of 1978.
Richard Painter, White House Chief Ethics Counsel under President George W. There is,” he said.
“Everyone knows it, so it seems foolish to remove it from the form.” [presidential] “Everyone will ask who paid for the trip,” Painter added. Painter unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2018 and 2022.
“So you have to either pay for the house, make sure the owner is present, or fill out a form. Those are your three options.”
Biden and his family started and ended 2023 with a free holiday stay at Bill and Connie Neville’s home on seaside St. Croix, which is usually listed as a VRBO rental.
Bill Neville is the founder of Viking Software, an American company that develops online content platforms. called ENPS Sold by the Associated Press and used by various news organizations.
Biden also spent six days at billionaire hedge fund founder David Rubenstein’s Nantucket mansion last Thanksgiving, and in August at billionaire climate investor Tom Steyer’s Nevada waterfront. enjoyed a 9-day Thanksgiving stay at Lake Tahoe Recreation Area.
Biden’s time at Rubenstein’s compound is believed to have been unpaid, but neither party has confirmed that.
The White House initially insisted that Biden would pay “fair market value” for Steyer’s home, but the site visit was short-lived because the financier did not have a rental permit. The investigation was mysteriously discontinued, and the terms of the alleged rental have not been disclosed.
First Lady Jill Biden also obtained tickets to cheer on her beloved Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl II in February 2023, but she does not appear to have paid for them, and this has not been disclosed. do not have.
Opinions differ as to whether these items should have been listed, but Vice President Kamala Harris did list them. Publish your ticket ESPN provided the Celebration Bowl college football game between Harris’ alma mater, Howard University, and Florida A&M in December. The Ducat costs $1,890, Harris disclosed.
Intentionally leaving a gift off form could put Biden or his staff at criminal risk for making false statements, a crime punishable by the state. Up to 5 years imprisonment Mr. Painter said it was based on 18 U.S.C. 1001.
“If someone goes to the White House Counsel’s Office, which creates the gift schedule, and says, “The president paid for the trip, we don’t need to do that,” the White House Counsel’s Office relies on that… to create the gift schedule. “And then it goes to the president, and he signs it — whoever was told by the White House Counsel’s office that he didn’t have to go there because the president paid for the trip.” , if the person knows and knowingly tells it that it is not true. “If someone lies to the White House Counsel’s Office, whoever they are, they have violated Section 1001 of the False Statements Act,” the ethics expert said.
“if [Biden] He knew his gift schedule was incomplete, but someone told him he would have the same responsibility. ”
‘Billionaires want something’: critics claim double standards
At issue are different interpretations of the carve-out, which would allow authorities not to disclose “meals, lodging, or entertainment received as personal entertainment.”
Biden and Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, whose visits have been the subject of a series of investigations by ProPublica, said the policy means they don’t have to list the items. I interpreted it.
Painter and other experts, including Walter Shaub, who headed the Obama-era Office of Government Ethics, which manages the executive branch’s disclosure process, have argued that exemptions require homeowners to be free There are other experts who argue that it is necessary to attend the holidays. i disagree.
“I’ve always held the view that the exception doesn’t apply if the friend isn’t present, and I don’t think any argument to the contrary is moot,” Schaub previously told the Post. “Rich friends who give you things are no exception. This should apply to things like your friend’s child’s wedding or a home-cooked meal with a friend.”
Others, including Kedrick Payne, general counsel at the Campaign Legal Center and former attorney for the Office of Congressional Ethics, disagree. Payne told the Post last year that he believes the executive branch “does not have a requirement that the host remain on the premises in order for the personal entertainment exemption to apply.”
Mark Paoletta, who served as general counsel for the White House Budget Office under President Donald Trump, said two criteria clearly apply when reviewing such exceptions.
“This is another deliberate refusal to disclose gifts by President Biden. His habit of occupying donors’ homes for the holidays, without paying or disclosing them, is a result of his family’s long feud and corruption.” “It’s consistent with the history of Thomas,” said Paoletta, a longtime friend and advocate of Thomas. The main focus of ProPublica’s report.
Crowe had no prior knowledge of Supreme Court work.
“Some liberal ethics experts have argued that Biden’s repeated omissions are illegal and may violate criminal law. They didn’t reveal that they used the box. They know the liberal media won’t say anything, so they’re not ashamed of it and don’t even bother hiding it,” Paoletta said.
“Where is the billionaire-funded, left-wing ProPublica that ridiculously won a Pulitzer Prize for its disingenuous agenda-based ‘ethics’ reporting on conservative Supreme Court justices?” They’re totally fine with Biden’s actual and willful violation of the law. The double standards don’t even begin to explain the hypocrisy that’s on display.”
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said federal reforms are needed to increase the impact of gift leaks.
“The radical left’s silence on President Biden’s many ethical issues is deafening,” Comer said. “We need more transparency about President Biden’s involvement in family influence schemes, all the ‘loans’ the Biden family has received from Democratic donors, to President Biden’s free vacations at the donor’s homes.” It is clear, Americans, that we need to reform our federal ethics laws.
Presidential and judicial ethics disclosures are governed by the same law, but enforced by different entities.
thomas he said he was advised He said the “personal entertainment” exception in ethics laws means he doesn’t have to report his travel or get a refund for his private jet ticket. Crowe also provided financial support to Thomas’ mother and foster child, according to the report.
Prominent Democrats — including senator ed markey (Massachusetts Democratic Party) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) – Calling for Mr. Thomas to resign or be impeached, the U.S. Judicial Conference last year tightened rules specifying that: Resorts were not counted Private residences are not subject to declaration.
“This transcends political parties and party lines. This level of corruption is shocking, almost cartoonish. Thomas must be impeached,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
But Painter, who frequently criticizes leaders of both parties on ethics issues, said he doesn’t think additional legislative changes are needed to make it clear that such vacation stays must be listed. .
“Most of these billionaires want something other than being friends with celebrities,” Painter said. “President Biden should set a good example by paying for the housing or amending those documents.”
