House Democrats Investigating Postmaster General Over Campaign Finance Allegations

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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, shown last month during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, is now under investigation by that committee.

Tom Williams/Pool via AP

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Tom Williams/Pool via AP

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NPR has not independently confirmed the Post’s reporting. It appears to describe what is known as a straw donor scheme, in which a person donates in another’s name to get around individual contribution limits. It’s not illegal for corporations to encourage employees to donate to political candidates.

During an Aug. 24 hearing in the House, DeJoy denied paying back several executives for contributing to Trump’s campaign.

«That’s an outrageous claim, sir, and I resent it, he said when asked by Rep. Jim Cooper, a Democrat from Tennessee. «The answer is no.

«So, all your campaign contributions were legal? Cooper asked.

«I’m fully aware of legal campaign contributions, and I resent the assertion, sir. What are you accusing me of? DeJoy responded.

Trump told reporters that if DeJoy did something wrong he should be investigated and lose his job.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows appeared to downplay the investigation when asked about it on Tuesday morning.

«Never underestimate Congress’ ability to ratchet up an investigation 60 days out from a presidential election, he said. «Louis DeJoy is an honorable man … I’m sure he’ll cooperate completely.

Maloney’s committee is already investigating DeJoy’s tenure at the Postal Service and has subpoenaed his communications about operations.

In a statement Tuesday, committee member Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., said DeJoy’s response to a document request for communications with the Trump campaign has been «inadequate.

DeJoy said in a letter earlier this month that he did not consider «the communications I had with certain personal friends of mine regarding the president’s statements about the Postal Service to be with the ‘Trump campaign.'

«Although you confirmed that you communicated with individuals associated with the Trump campaign, you failed to identify the individuals you spoke with—or when these conversations occurred, Connolly said in a response to DeJoy. «Claiming a personal relationship does not absolve you of your responsibility to produce these documents to the committee.

The subpoena requires DeJoy to produce documents to the committee by Sept. 16.

NPR congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales contributed to this report.