Ethics watchdog sues DOT over ‘Mayor Pete’ document release
- April 8, 2022
Karen Townsend, HotAir
An ethics watchdog, Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT), filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Transportation in response to the department’s failure to release records involving the movie “Mayor Pete”. PPT submitted a FOIA request for records relating to the movie, its production, and release in February. DOT estimated that the request would be fulfilled by the end of the month. PPT is still waiting for the information.
Did DOT improperly make use of department personnel or resources on official time to promote the film? That basic question can be answered by a release of any documents DOT may have in office records. A high profile movie about a member of a president’s cabinet presents the opportunity for bad behavior which can run afoul of federal ethics laws and regulations. PPT submitted the request after the release of the film requesting records from DOT relating to the movie, its production, and release.
Michael Chamberlain, Director of Protect the Public’s Trust, released a statement on the federal watchdog group’s latest efforts to hold government officials accountable.