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WH: Sebelius' violation of Hatch Act 'inadvertent error'

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    Legal panel weighs in on the case

  • Duration 5:42
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I -- -- back in session on the docket today and inadvertent error that is that the White House is calling a recently revealed violation.

Of the hatch act.

By health and human services secretary Kathleen Sebelius that prohibits our administration officials from campaigning.

In their official capacities.

This conclusion.

Suggests that she is unlikely to face serious punishment or.

Any punishment as it turns out for breaking the law.

It all happened earlier this year at an event in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Where she made some comments which we'll get into in a minute.

Then the US Office of Special Counsel.

Revealed that she wasn't that campaigning for President Obama while on official business she's not supposed to be doing that because taxpayers foot the bill for that.

Here's the White House commenting on her violation of law yesterday.

One other subject to come did the president have any response to.

The Office of Special Counsel reporters on secretary sibelius -- in the past.

I have not spoken to him about it I think it's -- -- -- has.

Responded to that and make sure that what was and and thanks you know.

Her remarks were extemporaneous.

The Health and Human Services Department has since reclassified the event to meet the correct standard.

The US treasury has been reimbursed.

And secretary Sebelius has met with ethics experts to ensure that this never happens again the error was immediately acknowledged by the secretary promptly corrected and no taxpayer dollars were misused.

It's safe to assume that.

As far as the president's turn us into.

Well I think -- status in that action has been taken by the secretary and the department.

To remedy what was.

The result of and and diversionary.

And now -- calling the Fox News legal analyst in our right -- was a former prosecutor now defense attorney so.

They it looks like they left the punishment if any -- the President Obama.

What a surprise she's not getting any.

At least that's how it appears -- that White House exchange Mercedes is that the right result I think the pounding that they that if an inadvertent error when she sits specifically what do you parted to make sure that we not only come together and Charlotte.

To present nomination to the president but we make sure that he no memory continues to be president.

For the next four years it's.

Eric you know just let.

-- -- -- Let's say come on a -- -- a reality check here isn't on an error it was designed it was -- he knew exactly -- -- -- -- And she said it within infant at the fifth she was emphatic.

Both hit in November make sure he's very president of the next for you and not an air.

-- -- -- Qaeda came out did -- In addition to not to say that with technical innings minor if you were -- letter saying these are not let's have a violation of the hatch act is meant to address and it seems unfair.

To conclude.

That -- the result -- offhand statement I use my official title for political.

-- well here's the deal -- -- hijacked.

A appointed.

Officials and someone who is appointed by the president and -- confirmed by the senate.

They are allowed in their official capacity.

To make political statements as long.

Is it is not an event being paid for by the United States taxpayers that's why immediately after the event as soon -- you are there where any complaints they -- class -- Good news or.

And then they and then the democratic national committee on -- the money back.

So 1111.

Million media at road Atlanta -- Carolina second -- -- after somebody complained those who was and she got hot -- and I'm glad some that she shouldn't have been.

Heard she had to sit -- ethics panel.

Now I'm trying to think of it is in a big corporate world.

If someone is charged with sexual harassment.

And they're good employees and they don't never gone wrong in my understanding is this is the first time he's done this change they go to sexual -- training at.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Reuters.

Reported that -- their money Reuters reported that the Democratic National Committee paid back the money so I don't know that would I imagine -- would be far wrong.

He that would -- wrong if it was it was -- if that was the case but we're looking over what we're out of the DNC.

Picked up some of the cost not all a piece of what you happened.

You know look unless he loved it could she be -- what did this -- president and a woman.

Did you get fired or she was forced to resign she submitted her resignation -- -- and it termination or suspension but I don't love that fact it's -- termination I don't -- these rises to that level that the president.

Who was very pleased with the performance up until now is gonna say you're out because of this -- -- good.

You're one time -- -- one comment she did Wright say she should she believes she should suffer.

No punishment as it -- -- -- it looks like that's that's the way they're gonna go it sounds that way especially since it classified as an inadvertent error.

-- -- they can possibly say that justice but to I guess if thank you for educating us on the hatch act that you make and I -- -- -- -- I told a -- other stuff about this.

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