December 17, 2009 – Washington Examiner investigate journalist Byron York is reporting on a congressional investigation involving First Lady Michelle Obama and her role in the firing of Inspector General Gerald Walpin.
Walpin had been fired on June 10, 2009 for his role in the investigation of the misuse of AmeriCorps funds by the Obama friend, Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento, California.
Walpin’s firing was illegal. Law requires that the President notify Congress 30 days before firing an Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service and give reasons why. Walpin’s character was smeared by Obama Administration officials. The White House claims Walpin was fired because he was “confused” and was concerned about his capacity to serve in the position. Glenn Beck interviewed Walpin to find out if he were truly “confused” or just doing his job to effectively expose government fraud.
Republican investigators have discovered that Alan Solomont, former chairman of the Corporation for National and Community Service (which oversees AmeriCorps) had denied meeting with Jackie Norris, First Lady Obama’s former chief of staff.
However, recently released visitor logs to the White House reveal that Solmont met with Norris on June 9 – just a day before Walpin was fired. Either he lied to investigators or he forgot meeting with Norris.
After being shown the logs, Solomont then explained that he had met with Norris to discuss Corporation business, but did not discuss Walpin.
York reports that First Lady Obama had taken a special interest in playing a central role in the national service agenda and that she was going to appoint the Corporation’s new Chief Executive Officer. On June 4, Jackie Norris left First Lady Obama’s office to work as a senior advisor at the Corporation.
Republican investigators were interested in learning that Solomont, who had first denied meeting with Norris, had visited the White House 17 times and met with Norris on three of those occasions.
The investigators note that on June 3, Solomont had sent an email to a White House lawyer to discuss who might replace Walpin. Clearly, he was involved in some sort of planning to oust Walpin.
Solomont has since been picked by President Obama to become Ambassador to Spain. His nomination had a hold placed on it by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), but Grassley has since removed the hold. Another Senator has put a hold on Solomont’s nomination until more facts can be discovered about his role – and the First Lady’s – in the illegal firing of Walpin.
According to Grassley, “I remain concerned about the accuracy and completeness of Mr. Solomont’s answers to questions during both his July 15 and December 8, 2009 interviews.”
Jackie Norris and First Lady Michelle Obama should be compelled to testify under oath about what role each of them might have played in illegally ousting Gerald Walpin from his position as Inspector General.
“The American people need to know if they have Evita in the White House pulling strings and getting people fired to protect her husband’s corrupt friends,” said TVC Executive Director Andrea Lafferty.
Additional Resources:
Washington Times - EDITORIAL: Walpin-gate may snag Mrs. Obama
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Sweet: Glenn Beck gives Gerald Walpin a senility test
Did AmeriCorps official lie about possible First Lady link to IG firing? | Washington Examiner
EDITORIAL: Obama's sacked inspector general - Washington Times
