CONTACT: Jordan Libowitz
202-408-5565 | [email protected]

Washington — Vice Chair of the Pence-Kobach Commission Kris Kobach appears to have violated federal conflict of interest law, according to a complaint filed today by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) with the Department of Justice (DOJ). An investigation is needed into whether Kobach improperly participated in a matter in which he has a financial interest.

Kobach, the Kansas Secretary of State who serves as Vice Chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, agreed to be paid for writing and delivering columns to Breitbart News, including one seemingly written in his official capacity with the Commission that alleged serious voter fraud in New Hampshire. Five days after its publication, Kobach incorporated the column into a New Hampshire meeting of the Commission.

“The official actions of government employees should be free from any actual or apparent influence from outside financial interests,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said. “Secretary Kobach’s conduct, however, appears to undermine that principle, and should be investigated to determine if it violated the federal conflict of interest statute.”

At the bottom of the column, a short bio notes: “In 2017 President Trump named him Vice Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity.”

“The law is clear that government officials cannot participate in matters in which they have a financial interest,” Bookbinder said. “The Department of Justice should immediately investigate and take any action necessary.”

Kobach is also currently running for governor of Kansas. Later today, Donald Trump Jr. will join Kobach for a $200-a-ticket fundraiser for his gubernatorial campaign.