A Republican appointee to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is facing possible sanctions following revelations that he funneled sensitive information about board matters to a former Republican board member who is now serving as co-chair of the labor policy advisory group for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
The charges are contained in a report by the NLRB Inspector General detailing improper conduct by NLRB member Terence Flynn, who provided sensitive attorney-client information to former NLRB Chairman Peter Schaumber while serving as chief counsel at the board. Schaumber then used the information in last year’s frenzied GOP campaign to discredit the agency.
“The report makes clear that Schaumber used his inside connections through his former chief counsel Flynn to get internal, confidential information that he then utilized in ongoing public attacks on the actions of the NLRB,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Even for an agency that has at times been highly politicized, these unethical practices are unprecedented and indefensible. NLRB member Flynn should resign immediately. The Department of Justice should quickly investigate and bring criminal charges if violations are found.”
Trumka also called the Inspector General’s findings a test for candidate Romney. “A key advisor has been found to have used his inside connections in a way that resulted in the violation of ethics rules,” said Trumka. “Allowing Schaumber to remain as an advisor will speak volumes about candidate Romney and the value he places on ethics in government officials. He should renounce these violations and dismiss Schaumber.”
