ETHICS/TRUMP FAMILY/IVANKA: “The Office of Government Ethics raised concerns about Ivanka Trump’s status as an informal adviser to the president before she announced that she would be an employee of the White House.
OGE Director Walter M. Shaub said in a letter to Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., that he contacted Trump’s attorney and the White House’s ethics official on March 24 ‘to express OGE’s view that Ms. Trump appeared to meet the legal standard to be considered an employee covered by the executive branch ethics rules.’
Shaub added that both officials ‘seemed open’ to having President Donald Trump’s daughter be recognized as an employee through formal appointment. Five days later, the White House announced her decision to accept a role as an employee of the White House.
‘With her newly recognized status as an executive branch employee, Ms. Trump is covered by the ethics laws and regulations applicable to executive branch employees,’ Shaub wrote.”
-Ali Rogin, “Ethics office raised questions about Ivanka Trump before she joined White House,” ABC News, May 1, 2017 12:30pm