NEWS
Former Trump HUD Official Fined, Barred From Holding Government Employment Over Hatch Act Violations
A federal watchdog on Tuesday said it fined former Trump housing official Lynne Patton and barred her from federal employment for several years after she violated the Hatch Act — a law prohibiting executive branch employees from engaging in political activities while on duty.
Her penalty includes a fine of $1,000 and a ban on holding federal employment for four years.
The punishment stems from her using her official office to create a video for the 2020 Republican National Convention, working to help the Trump campaign using federal resources.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel investigated whether the political project violated the Hatch Act following a complaint filed by the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
NEW: ex-Trump official Lynne Patton fined $1000 and barred from federal employment for 48 months for violating the Hatch Act by using her HUD role to create a video for the 2020 RNC. pic.twitter.com/XsEKO9t5oh
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) April 6, 2021
Patton, a former wedding planner and one of the only high-ranking Black officials in the Trump administration, has faced repeated allegations of misconduct.
In 2019, she was accused of skipping a key HUD meeting to attend former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s testimony — an allegation she disputes.
