Walter Shaub, former ethics director, files complaint against Kellyanne Conway

A former ethics director has filed a complaint against Kellyanne Conway for comments she made about the Alabama Senate race.

“I have filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which investigates Hatch Act violations,” Walter Shaub tweeted.

Mr. Shaub is the former director of the Office of Government Ethics.

His complaint centers around Mrs. Conway’s comments earlier this week blasting Democratic candidate Doug Jones. Mrs. Conway did not advocate on behalf of Republican candidate Roy Moore, but said that Mr. Jones’ was a “doctrinaire liberal.”

“Doug Jones in Alabama, folks, don’t be fooled. He will be a vote against tax cuts. He is weak on crime, weak on borders. He is strong on raising your taxes. He is terrible for property owners,” Mrs. Conway said Monday on Fox News.

Mr. Shaub said the comments violate the Hatch Act, which forbids federal employees from influencing the outcome of an election through their position. He says that since Mrs. Conway was identified by her title and featured in front of the White House, she was appearing in her official capacity while making political comments.

I have filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which investigates Hatch Act violations. https://t.co/Mrm8al9nZz

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) November 22, 2017

The White House pushed back on the claim.

“Ms. Conway did not advocate for or against the election of a candidate, and specifically declined to encourage Alabamans to vote a certain way. She was speaking about issues and her support for the President’s agenda. This election is for the people of Alabama to decide,” Raj Shah, White House principal deputy press secretary, said in a statement.