Architect of the Capitol accused of multiple ethics violations by watchdog

Jack Birle

November 01, 11:44 PM November 02, 12:06 AM

The Architect of the Capitol has been accused by a watchdog of multiple ethics violations, including offering private tours while the capitol complex was closed and misusing government vehicles.

The Office of the Inspector General for the Architect of the Capitol released the report Tuesday detailing the various ethics violations.

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The report details J. Brett Blanton’s wife posting on social media “Contact me for a private tour. All PATRIOTS accepted!” on Sept. 30, 2020, while the Capitol building was closed to visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By offering the private tours, Blanton created the “appearance of impropriety” and used a “public position for private gain,” resulting in a violation of policies for his office, per the report.

The inspector general’s report also accuses Blanton of using taxpayer dollars to fund an additional vehicle for his family and allowing unauthorized individuals to drive “law-enforcement-equipped vehicles.”

“The OIG identified a significant amount of administrative, ethical and policy violations as well as evidence of criminal violations throughout the investigation. Blanton misled and provided false information to investigators on multiple occasions,” the report said.

Blanton asserted he is authorized to use a vehicle for continuity of operations or emergency response to the U.S. Capitol, as necessary, and “claimed that he was ‘tethered’ to the vehicle — a term no one had heard of or previously used” the report said.

The report concluded that Blanton violated every pillar the inspector general operates under “including theft, fraud, waste and abuse.”

The watchdog refereed the case, but federal criminal prosecution was not pursued in Washington, D.C., or the Eastern District of Virginia, the report said. Instead, the inspector general said alleged violations were referred to the Government Accountability Office, and referrals will also be made to the IRS and the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for further investigation. CNN reported Blanton did not return a request for comment.