Hunter Biden’s art buyer receives government job known for corruption and foreign influence-peddling.
The Controversial Appointment of a Wealthy Democrat Donor to a Federal Commission
The recent appointment of Elizabeth Hirsch Naftali, a wealthy Democrat donor, to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad has raised eyebrows. This federal commission has long been associated with corruption, secrecy, and advancing the financial interests of its members.
Naftali, who has generously contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrat politicians, joins a list of individuals connected to Hunter Biden who have held this position. In 2015, President Barack Obama appointed Hunter’s business partner, Eric Schwerin, to the same commission.
One might wonder why Hunter’s associates are drawn to this notoriously corrupt commission. It seems that the lack of attention paid to it provides an opportunity for individuals to exploit their positions. Emails found on Hunter’s abandoned laptop reveal that Schwerin saw the commission as a way to leverage relationships with foreign governments.
During Schwerin’s tenure, the commission’s executive director, Jeffrey Farrow, was earning a six-figure government salary for what amounted to a one-day-a-week job. However, it was discovered that Farrow spent the majority of his time running a for-profit international lobbying firm out of the government office. This blatant misuse of a public office for personal gain was brought to light by Katarina Ryan, the agency’s only full-time employee at the time.
“This is a classic example of using a public office for private gain,” she wrote in a whistleblower complaint, “but what makes it particularly reckless is to have the Federal government subsidize expenses for a lobbyist.”
The situation surrounding Farrow’s dual roles as a government official and a lobbyist is reminiscent of the controversy surrounding Hunter’s own foreign lobbying work. The New York Times described it as “pretty brazen” and highlighted the conflicts of interest that arose when Farrow was simultaneously working with the State Department and members of Congress in his official capacity while representing his lobbying clients.
The commission’s lack of cooperation with government investigations further adds to its questionable reputation. It limited the scope of the General Services Administration inspector general’s investigation and prohibited the investigators from referring their findings for criminal prosecution without its consent. The final inspector general report was only made public after Senator Ron Johnson requested it as part of a Senate Homeland Security investigation.
The report revealed that individuals associated with the commission had been using it as a personal piggy bank, routinely falsifying paperwork and inflating invoices to maximize taxpayer dollars. Warren Miller, a former chairman of the commission, was also found to have misused the office and its benefits for personal gain.
The commission’s illegal designation of employees as contractors to bypass federal rules was another alarming discovery. This allowed individuals like Farrow to act as employees and sign contracts on behalf of the agency while being treated as contractors. The inspector general found evidence of nepotism as well, with the commission hiring contractors from a company run by Farrow’s cousin.
Despite whistleblower complaints and investigations, the commission continued to employ Farrow while placing Katarina Ryan on leave. The Office of Special Counsel, responsible for investigating whistleblower retaliation, informed President Obama of the commission’s obstruction of their investigation.
“Mr. Farrow’s involvement in the resolution of these issues is troubling not only because he was the key subject, but because his involvement created an opportunity for self-dealing.”
It is against this backdrop that Elizabeth Hirsch Naftali, the wealthy Democrat donor, was appointed to the commission. While the exact timing of her art purchase from Hunter Biden is unknown, it is worth noting that she was appointed to the federal post eight months after Hunter’s first art opening. Hunter’s artwork, known for its high price tags, has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the lack of transparency surrounding the buyers.
Naftali’s significant contributions to Biden and her frequent visits to the White House further raise questions about the motivations behind her appointment. The controversy surrounding the commission and its history of corruption and secrecy only adds to the skepticism surrounding this appointment.
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