Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s foundation has reportedly funneled money into the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in the past year, raising ethical concerns about his influence among former employees and internal watchdogs.

Schmidt, who has long sought to influence federal science and technology policy, has played a significant role in shaping the White House OSTP in the past year, including maintaining a close relationship with former top science adviser Eric Lander and using his foundation to pay the salaries of two White House employees indirectly, according to a Politico report.