A Friendly Reminder

Published December 24, 2015

The White House is reminding its staffers that "cash for access" events, such as the one planned -- and promptly cancelled -- by the Washington Post are strictly prohibited.

Fox News has obtained a memo from White House Counsel Greg Craig sent Thursday which reminds staffers that, "federal ethics rules restricting the acceptance of gifts govern your ability to accept free admission to events put on by a non-governmental sponsor."

Earlier this week the Washington Post sent fliers to selected lobbyists, offering them the opportunity for an off the record dinner with Obama Administration officials for a fee of between $25,000 and $250,000. The dinner was set to take place at the home of the paper's publisher, Katherine Weymouth and was to include the Post's newsroom staff.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs noted Thursday that he was not aware that any White House staff had received invitations from the Washington Post or that any had been accepted. He added that such an event "would likely exceed what the Counsel would feel in this case would be appropriate."

In acknowledging that many White House staff often receives invitations to similar events, Craig's memo directed staff members to a new online approval process which would streamline the requests. A minimum of 72 hours notice is required for all requests that the Counsel's office must review.

Craig also sought to refresh staffer's minds with the White House gift policy memo, dated March 20, 2009. While that policy doesn't have a specific provision for an event such as the one the Washington Post was going to hold, it does prohibit White House employees from attending events hosted by lobbyists, invited to by lobbyists, and that charge an attendance fee.

The Washington Post cancelled the July 21st event, acknowledging that the fliers to lobbyists were distributed before being "properly vetted," but the Post didn't rule out future events, so long as their newsroom staff would not be involved.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/a-friendly-reminder