Obama Nominee Won't Disclose Potential Ethical Conflicts

The Washington Times reported November 10 that President Barack Obama's nominee for Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics has refused to disclose some of his former work on a required government ethics form. The disclosure is supposed to help with transparency and identification of potential conflicts of interest.

The story says, "Frank Kendall III, Mr. Obama's pick for principal deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, received $75,000 in consulting fees last year from defense contractor SAIC Inc., according to his recently filed disclosure form. He also reported fees totaling $8,500 from Centra Technology, another defense contractor. But he's declined to name six other recent private clients, which were alluded to in the disclosure form but not identified. Federal ethics rules allow nominees to keep clients' identities private in limited circumstances. But ethics analysts say the omission raises questions about whether any of the undisclosed clients are also military contractors."

It also raises a question about this being the most transparent government in American history. Come on, Mr. President, make good on your pledge - have Mr. Kendall disclose the information.

Scott Amey of the nonpartisan Project on Government Oversight is quoted as saying, "It kind of raises a red flag as far as the Obama administration's efforts to keep contractors out of the Department of Defense."

The story continues: "Mr. Kendall's disclosure doesn't explain why he is keeping the names of his clients confidential. Ethics rules permit such nondisclosure, for example, when the client and nominee had a written confidentiality agreement or if a client has been the subject of a grand jury proceeding."

Okay, so tell us WHY you're keeping the names a secret, Mr. Kendall. Are there confidentiality agreements or are some of your past associates part of a grand jury investigation?

And this: "At least two other defense appointees have done work for military contractors in the year before their appointments. Former Harvard professor Ash Carter, the undersecretary for defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, reported receiving fees totaling $10,000 from Raytheon Co. and $65,000 from Mitre Corp., both defense contractors. William Lynn, the deputy secretary of defense, worked as a lobbyist for Raytheon."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/10/defense-nominee-wont-reveal-potential-conflicts/