The FBI is investigating Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over his former company’s campaign fundraising, The Washington Post reports.
Prosecutors have subpoenaed DeJoy and the FBI has interviewed multiple current and former employees at DeJoy’s old company New Breed Logistics.
Mark Corallo, a spokesman for DeJoy, confirmed the investigation.
“Mr. DeJoy has learned that the Department of Justice is investigating campaign contributions made by employees who worked for him when he was in the private sector,” he told the Post. “He has always been scrupulous in his adherence to the campaign contribution laws and has never knowingly violated them.”
Possible straw donations:
The investigation comes after several employees of New Breed Logistics said they were pressured by DeJoy or his aides to go to political fundraisers or donate to Republican candidates.
The employees said they were reimbursed for the donations through paycheck bonuses.
If true, such reimbursements may violate state and federal laws against straw donations, which allow wealthy donors to give more to campaigns than contribution limits allow.
Wake County, N.C. District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said earlier this year that she would not pursue charges against DeJoy.
“Our review of state finance campaign reports did not provide sufficient indications of a pattern of improper contributions to open a state criminal investigation,” she told the Post. “Allegations of illegal political contributions to federal candidates are not within our jurisdiction and are appropriately reviewed by federal authorities if the evidence so warrants.”
Did DeJoy lie?
DeJoy was pressed on the matter during a House hearing last year, where Tennessee Rep. Jim Cooper asked if he reimbursed executives for donating to Trump.
“That’s an outrageous claim, sir, and I resent it,” DeJoy replied. “The answer is no.”
After the Post published its investigation last year, House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney accused DeJoy of lying to Congress under oath.
Corallo told the Post that “fully cooperated with and answered the questions posed by Congress regarding these matters.”
“The same is true of the Postal Service Inspector General’s inquiry which after a thorough investigation gave Mr. DeJoy a clean bill of health on his disclosure and divestment issues,” he said. “He expects nothing less in this latest matter and he intends to work with DOJ toward swiftly resolving it.”
