Ex-Google CEO funneled money into the White House science office

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The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has received money from the foundation of a former CEO. The foundation's close ties with the office raised ethics concerns.

There were a number of roles held by the CEO, executive chairman, and technical advisor of the company. He left that role in 2020. He sits on the boards and invests in tech companies. One of the reasons Rachel Wallace, the office's general counsel, raised concerns about his financial involvement was because theOSTP directs science funding and helps steer artificial intelligence policy.

OSTP employees were paid by the foundation of the man. A consultant in the office was also employed by the company. A number of employees were offered the chance to travel to conferences. Some withdrew because of ethical concerns. The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT is where the chair of the board is, and some officials at the office worked there.

He worked with the former director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Reports and credible evidence show that he bullied employees, including Wallace.

The OSTP works with many outside groups and the legal office reviews any potential ethical conflicts, according to an OSTP spokesman.

Wallace, who headed the OSTP's legal office as general counsel, told Politico she attributes Lander's behavior to her concerns.