"OIG found that such requests were inconsistent with Department ethics rules and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch." The release of the report comes as Pompeo has given strong signals he may be planning to run for president in 2024. The employees who received requests from Susan Pompeo said they considered them "to be at the direction of Secretary Pompeo." According to the report, the requests "fell into three broad categories—requests to pick up personal items, planning of events unrelated to the Department's mission, and miscellaneous personal requests." The watchdog "identified at least 30 instances when the Secretary or Mrs. Pompeo tasked (Office of the Secretary) employees with making restaurant reservations for personal lunches and dinners with Pompeo family members or friends."

Source: CNN April 16, 2021 23:03 UTC