Prior to the Shulkins' trip, Simpson allegedly sent emails to one of Shulkin's aides, James Gough, who was communicating with European veterans officials at the time, asking for Gough to confirm whether their boss would be receiving the award. When she was approached a second time about altering the email, Simpson said, 'I responded appropriately to the email.' During the trip, Shulkin is said to improperly accepted Wimbledon tickets as a gift, as well as gone on a tour of England's Westminster Abbey and Denmark's Rosenborg Castle, and taken a cruise on the Thames. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price was forced to resign over the issue in 2017. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was investigated for use of government aircraft for official trips.

Source: Daily Mail February 15, 2018 07:07 UTC