Judge fined, debarred 30 months for violating Hatch Act

Sept. 17 (UPI) — The U.S. Office of Special Counsel said Tuesday that an immigration judge will face a $1,000 fine and 30-month debarment from federal service for violating the Hatch Act, a federal law limiting federal employees’ political activities.

The violation occurred in March 2016 when DePaulo promoted then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s plan for immigration reform while presiding over a deportation hearing.

This would only change if “the Senate becomes a Democratic body and there’s some hope that they can actually pass immigration legislation,” DePaolo said. The Republicans, on the other hand, “aren’t going to do anything” about immigration “if they can help it,” other than to “try to deport everybody.”

The administrative law judge found DePaolo’s actions merited “a considerable sanction given the public nature of her position.”

The decision imposed a $1,000 fine, the maximum civil penalty, along with a 30-month debarment from federal service since DePaolo has since retired.

The OSC filed the complaint in June 2018 charging DePaolo with violating the Hatch Act’s prohibition against engaging in political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace.

Navy Vet

Article URL : https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/09/17/Judge-fined-debarred-30-months-for-violating-Hatch-Act/3721568749028/?spt=slh&or=9