Oversight Members Outline ‘Pattern of Ethical Issues’ at Granholm’s Energy Department
- July 13, 2021
Matthew Foldi, Washington Free Beacon
The questions on Speakes-Backman stem from a complaint by watchdog group Protect the Public’s Trust. The group in May submitted a formal complaint to the Energy Department’s general counsel, alleging that a series of Speakes-Backman’s speeches sponsored by donors of the Energy Storage Association “suggest a pattern of advancing the interests of her former employers and potentially endorsing them.”
The watchdog said Speakes-Backman’s disregard for oversight is “disturbing” and starts “from the top” with Granholm.
“When given the opportunity to provide documents demonstrating compliance, the department remained silent and has refused to provide the requested public records,” Michael Chamberlain, the group’s director, told the Washington Free Beacon. “All of this is part of a troubling pattern that seemingly flows down from the top. We applaud the Committee for raising these important questions, particularly in the wake of Secretary Granholm’s refusal to divest of her seven-figure Proterra stock options while the Administration was promoting the company.”