A federal watchdog agency has concluded that U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue violated the law in advocating for the reelection of President Trump during an August official visit to North Carolina, reports the Des Moines Register.
The Office of Special Counsel called on Perdue to reimburse the government for costs associated with his participation in the North Carolina event.
The Hatch Act prevents federal employees from engaging in political activities while they are on the job. The Trump White House has been dismissive of alleged violations of the act by other administration figures and the president himself.
The Office of Special Counsel said it would close its file on the matter once Perdue provided documentation of his reimbursement to the federal Treasury
