Richard Cordray Still Refuses To Release His Schedule and Address Hatch Act Concerns

August 21, 2017

What Is Richard Cordray Hiding From Taxpayers?

WASHINGTON D.C.  – The Republican Governors Association today called on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray to quit hiding his schedule for June and July of this year and admit to taxpayers where he was and who he spoke to during that time. These months, still missing from his official online schedule, contain key dates and events in which, according to media reports, Cordray discussed his intentions to run for Ohio governor.

In the nearly 3 weeks since the RGA filed its original FOIA request with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on August 1, and a follow-up FOIA on August 15, requesting the schedule in question along with other information, Cordray has refused to release this key information, while the media continue to report that he has engaged in activity surrounding a run for Ohio governor.

“It’s time for Richard Cordray to stop hiding his schedule and come clean,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “Cordray should quit stalling, release his schedule, and prove to taxpayers if he engaged in political activity that violated the Hatch Act. Ohioans deserve to know if Cordray used his Consumer Financial Protection Bureau office improperly for political gain.”

Background:

July 18: Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Brent Larkin stated that he believes Cordray was “certain to run for Ohio governor” and expect him to “join the race no later than September.”

July 19: Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neil was told “by a mutual friend” that Cordray would run.

July 19: POLITICO reported that “according to friends” Richard Cordray will run for Ohio governor.

July 23: WVXU reported that Tim Burke, Chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, discussed the Ohio governor’s race with Cordray via telephone in June.

August 4: The Springfield News-Sun quoted Joe Rugola, Director of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and a “longtime Cordray ally” that Cordray was looking at a run for Ohio governor: “He’s concerned about walking away when he believes there are important pieces he could put in place despite the obstacles he faces.”.”