President Joe Biden’s recently appointed Senior Ethics Official has been revealed to have donated to a Virginia Democrat who was accused of live-streaming sex acts.
According to Federal Election Commission filings, Deputy White House Counsel for Ethics and Compliance Virginia Canter donated to the Virginia Democrat, Qasim Rashid, in 2020. Rashid is running to become the state’s US House member representing the state’s First Congressional district.
The revelations have raised many eyebrows as it goes against the ideals of the Biden administration’s zero-tolerance policy on ethical issues and conducted by members of his staff.
Weeks earlier back in July 2020, Qasim Rashid had announced that he was withdrawing from the primary elections citing ‘personal reasons’. Later it was revealed that Rashid had been caught live streaming himself engaging in sexual acts on the popular social media platform TikTok.
In her capacity as the Senior Ethics Official, Canter is responsible for making sure that the workings of the White House Administration for Ethics and Compliance reaches the highest level of standards. The revelation of Canter donating to Rashid has shaken the trust of the Biden administration and, stirred many questions.
Canter’s donations to Rashid have been identified as the only violation of the rules of Code of Conduct for employees in the White House.
The Biden administration has also addressed the issue saying that, according to the Standards of Conduct, Canter has violated the protocol of donating to a political cause without obtaining explicit permission and she will now have to go through the processes of taking corrective actions.
CEO of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Noah Bookbinder commented on the issue saying that, “it is important for high-ranking cabinet officials to follow the rules and regulations for ethical and compliance. It is not only a violation of the standards of conduct, but it is also a violation of public trust. Canter should be held accountable and have to take corrective measures.”
The Biden administration is currently working on several initiatives to make sure ethical and compliance is followed and the recent revelations have stunned many. It is now up to Canter and the Biden Administration to take the necessary actions to restore the public’s trust that is important in the functioning of any government.