CEO DATELINE - U.S. Chamber parts ways with political consultant
CEO DATELINE - U.S. Chamber parts ways with political consultant
- September 30, 2020 |
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Walt Williams
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has fired Senior Political Strategist Scott Reed amid allegations he leaked confidential information about the business group, the Washington Post reported Tuesday
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News of Reed's departure was first reported by the New York Times, with the newspaper saying he had resigned. However, the Post obtained an internal memo in which Chamber CEO Tom Donohue said he terminated Reed's consulting contract.
"An internal review has revealed that Scott repeatedly breached confidentiality, distorted facts for his own benefit, withheld information from chamber leadership and leaked internal information to the press," Donohue said.
Asked by the Post about Donohue's claims, Reed responded: "Leaked? The board should start doing its proper oversight … and start with term limits on executives."
Reed also said he had planned to leave the business group by the end of the year.
The firing comes as the Chamber faces pushback by members and Republicans for choosing to support 30 House Democratics (along with scores of Republicans) running for reelection. The business group has typically thrown its resources behind GOP politicians, although that support has wavered somewhat under President Donald Trump.
The Chamber has also faced questions about Donohue's lavish perks in recent years and has been reportedly wracked by internal leadership disputes.
In September, the Chamber announced layoffs and some organizational changes. A source familiar with the matter said 12 people were let go, with the majority of cuts tied directly to running a large building and a large in-person events operation. Business gatherings have been on hiatus in Washington, D.C., since the pandemic started and most of the city's office workers are still telecommuting.
This story was updated Oct. 1 to include more information about staff layoffs at the Chamber.
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