An ethics watchdog critical of the Trump administration has turned its attention to an unusual arrangement that has a casino and hotel consultant on leave from his firm to work in the State Department as a special advisor.
Jonathan Galaviz, a former Trump campaign surrogate to Hispanics, is the target of a Freedom of Information Act search by American Oversight, which has raised concerns of “a perfect storm for corruption and scandal brewing in the administration.”
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The group’s FOIA, seen here, is probing the unusual working arrangement. In reports, his former firm said that Galaviz is on leave and will be welcomed back once he leaves State.
American Oversight raised questions about his work on behalf of State and his firm’s involvement with entertainment industry deals in several nations. It is seeking documented assurances that Galaviz and his former employer have cut ties and that he is recusing himself from decisions that could influence their business.
The group’s FOIA, one of a dozen filed, noted that the consulting firm, Global Market Advisors LLC, works for Wynn Macau Casino, run by Steve Wynn, picked to be the Republican Party’s finance director.
The administration has seen a substantial increase in FOIAs. They come at a time when some Cabinet officials are under fire for their travel practices.
American Oversight is one of the groups probing flights by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and his released emails showing that Ivanka Trump used a personal email account for government business early in the administration.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
