The former top ethics official during the Obama Administration came down on White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Wednesday after she tried to brush aside questions about sales of pricey Hunter Biden paintings at an LA art show.
The official, former Office of Government Ethics chief Walter Shaub, regularly blasted Trump administration when he concluded they crossed the line on emoluments, the Hatch Act, or private jet use.
He tweeted this week that ethics questions are also fair game for the Biden White House after Psaki, who also served in the Obama administration, chastised a reporter for broaching the subject at a White House press briefing.
'These are legitimate questions,' he wrote in response.
'These are legitimate questions,' wrote former top ethics official Walter Shaub after White House press secretary Jen Psaki brushed back a reporter who asked about pending Hunter Biden art sales
The New York Post reported Friday that Hunter had sold five prints for $75,000 each, after DailyMail.com published photos of the swank LA art opening attended by Hunter.
Guests attending the event included Sugar Ray Leonard, Moby, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Obama 'hope' poster graphic artist Shepherd Fairey.
Walter Shaub
'I know this is your favorite topic,' Psaki said when a reporter said the opening might be a 'departure' from the White House pledge to keep purchasers anonymous as a way to avoid potential conflicts.
'But it, again, it still is the purview of the gallerist. We still do not know and will not know who purchases any paintings. And the president remains proud of his son,' said Psaki, referencing her prior comments.
Then, she quickly tried to move on when the reporter tried to follow up.
'Did you have another question on something else? Otherwise, we’re going to move on to some other topics. Lots going on in the world,' she said.
'I'd refer you to the gallerist for questions about the event,' she said last week, when she was also asked about attendance by LA
