Pentagon spokeswoman investigated for misusing staff: report

Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White is reportedly being investigated by the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General surrounding claims of misusing staff resources.

CNN reported Tuesday, citing four anonymous sources, that the watchdog is investigating if White asked staff members to conduct personal errands for her, such as picking up dry-cleaning or working on mortgage forms, and if she retaliated against them after they filed complaints.

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The network reported that after White was told certain staff requests were inappropriate, she asked to review the Pentagon’s ethics rules to she could stay within the department’s guidelines.

Pentagon ethics standards bar Defense Department officials from requesting subordinates to perform personal activities during the work day, CNN noted. According to the outlet, some staffers reportedly carried out errands and personal chores for White on a voluntary basis because they thought she was very busy during work hours.

The spokeswoman is not found to have violated any federal regulation or policy as of now.

Officials told CNN that while the inspector general can recommend courses of action, White’s fate is ultimately up to Defense Secretary James Mattis.

Charles Summers, the principal deputy assistant to the secretary for public affairs, told The Hill, “This is an ongoing review about which we cannot comment.”

Neither White nor the Pentagon’s Inspector General’s office responded to CNN’s request for comment for its story.

Updated: 5:38 p.m.