SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Submitted via IRC for SoyCow3941
Republican FCC commissioner Michael O'Rielly broke a federal law preventing officials from advocating for political candidates when he told a crowd that one way to avoid policy changes was to "make sure that President Trump gets reelected," according to a newly released letter from government officials. O'Rielly was warned by the officials about making similar comments in the future.
The Hatch Act bars many federal employees from using their offices to influence an election. During the conservative CPAC conference in February, which was also attended by FCC chairman Ajit Pai, O'Rielly was asked about how to avoid rapid swings in policy ushered in by a new administration. "I think what we can do is make sure as conservatives that we elect good people to both the House, the Senate, and make sure that President Trump gets reelected," he responded, adding that there would also be a fight in the US Senate over net neutrality rules.
[...] The office said it has sent a warning letter to O'Rielly this time, but will consider other infractions "a willful and knowing violation of the law" that could lead to legal action.
O'Rielly's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/1/17308418/fcc-commissioner-orielly-trump-law
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 06 2018, @10:01AM
Were I to break a law, ignorant of it or not, I'm sure I would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Ignorance no defense. It seems that persons in office just get a warning or, if the wait long enough, either they receive a pardon or the law is retrospectively changed so the offence becomes part or their job description.
No one above the law, but if you own the legal system that's no impediment.