Carol Schwartz was appointed as an Ethics and Government Accountability board member by Mayor Bowser.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the appointment of Carol Schwartz as an Ethics and Government Accountability board member. However, some residents worry that her new position would be a conflict of interest.
Schwartz, along with Stephen Danzansky, Dionna Lewis, and Andrew Richardson, were recently appointed by Bowser. “The District is fortunate to have these passionate and experienced public service professionals working for the betterment of our city,” said Bowser. “Together, we will create a better, stronger government that best serves the interests of our residents.”
The move follows the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability disciplining several sitting council members, including Council member Vincent Orange (D-At-Large), for “abusing the “prestige of the office” for attempting to interfere with a 2013 health department inspection of a campaign donor’s restaurant. Schwartz is a former at-large councilmember for the District, having served as chair of the Committee on Workforce Development and Government Operations and the Committee on Public Works and the Environment.
“Carol Schwartz is an old-head who knows this city,” said Ward 1 resident Ulysses Penny. “Bowser is being very strategic in placing someone who could be counted easily as her nemesis in a position of power because if anyone can keep the rest of that Council in line – if they know Schwartz in watching – they are less likely to do underhanded things.”
While many residents applaud Bowser’s attempts to streamline city government, others voiced concern that having Schwartz work on a board that monitors many of her former colleagues could diminish the politician’s integrity. The District’s Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA) actively investigates any ethics violations within the D.C. government and monitors compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
“Honestly, Schwartz probably should have been elected mayor, but having her work with a team that investigates the city, including the Council, may not be such a good thing,” said Ward 6 resident Michael Jolley, a long-time supporter of Schwartz. “I trust her judgment, I just believe that the levels of corruption in this city would back her into a corner where she may have to compromise her integrity or lose friendships with colleagues.”
Stephen Danzansky, Dionna Lewis, and Andrew ‘Chip’ Richardson will also join the Board of Elections. The Council of the District of Columbia will host a confirmation hearing for the Board of Election members on Dec. 16 at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
