Using private email accounts for state business has been banned by Michigan’s new governor.
A directive was issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday which not only prohibits the use of private servers to conduct business but also official government email accounts to conduct personal business.
“State government must be open, transparent and accountable to Michigan taxpayers,” Whitmer said in a statement.
“To continue to earn public confidence, we must set good examples and act ethically at all times,” she added. “This series of executive directives underscores the high expectations and integrity Michiganders should expect from the dedicated public servants who serve in state government.”
The move by Whitmer, a Democrat who was sworn into office on Jan. 1, comes after released state records showed state officials occasionally sent emails pertaining to official business on personal accounts, which raised concerns that they might have been attempting to hide information.
Notably, Hillary Clinton came under scrutiny for her use of an unauthorized a private email server during her time as secretary of state, but the FBI ultimately determined that she should not be prosecuted.
Other political figures who have faced controversy amid reports that they used private email accounts to conduct official business, including White House senior adviser and first daughter Ivanka Trump.
