When “Good Stories” Eclipse Boring Facts

In June 2014, I left a decades-long career in the private sector to serve my country in the Obama administration. I had been fortunate to have been successful in business, and I was eager to use my skills to make a contribution.

After a thorough vetting, I was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. I spent the following two years leading a team of 2,200 highly capable and dedicated professionals at the International Trade Administration.

My team and I were responsible for strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment and for working with foreign governments to improve the global business environment. All of our effort had a common goal of creating American jobs.

The experience was exhilarating and demanding. I was regularly impressed by the work ethic and commitment of the public servants with whom I worked. Similarly, I was impressed by my foreign counterparts who also worked with intelligence and passion representing their countries.

Our team sought to advance President Obama’s trade agreements agenda; reimagine our commercial dialogue with the Chinese government; renegotiate Safe Harbor with the European Commission; dramatically strengthen the enforcement and compliance of our trade laws; broaden our federal effort to promote the United States as the world’s most attractive investment destination; and expand our Foreign Commercial Service overseas, among other things. I am particularly proud that together we achieved an unprecedented turnaround in staff morale for the people who had chosen to pursue a career in government.

On Friday, September 9th, The Washington Post published an article with the attention-grabbing headline “Globetrotting Obama official traveled in luxury. Taxpayers footed the bill”, referencing a report by the Inspector General, in which I was not named. Had the assertion been true, that would indeed be newsworthy and would be appropriately distressing to any taxpayer.

Yet the facts — and the findings in the IG’s report — paint a picture that is quite different from that portrayed in the Post’s story. The report made clear that I was unequivocal with my staff that I would pay for any and all costs over those that were authorized and reimbursed by the government. This was common practice for senior officials and not unique to me. Furthermore, the Department specifically instructed me to have staff handle the complex, myriad government travel regulations. And while I acknowledge that a small number of clerical errors were made by staff, I immediately paid for any overages as soon as I was apprised of them so that taxpayers would not have to pay a cent. The Department confirmed that I did just that.

The IG’s report further stated that I never knowingly made any improper claim for reimbursement and that “it does not seem plausible that (I) would take any action to obtain questionable reimbursements.”

With respect to the story’s allegations about my office, I inherited an office in disrepair, with peeling paint, cracked ceiling tiles and non-working toilets. All repairs were undertaken and supervised by the Department, not by my office. As the report explicitly states, there is no evidence to suggest that I knowingly permitted those overseeing the work to spend more than the allowed budget or that I would have authorized such work had I known its actual cost. Moreover, I personally purchased all new office furniture and decoration and offered to leave them for my successor.

The article’s allegations were antithetical to me and inconsistent with every instruction I had given my team. Until now, my business ethics and integrity had never been questioned in any forum by any party. Not once. Not ever. I believe that the rigorous confirmation process that I endured proved that they are beyond reproach.

When I informed the Secretary months ago that I was leaving this summer after two years in my position, I was very proud of the work my team and I did. I still am. But those who make the sacrifices to serve their country deserve better than this. And I hope that this unfortunate episode does not deter other private sector leaders from giving back to our country in the future.