State Dept. protocol office under scrutiny for alleged role in Pompeo's use of resources.
The little-known office is among the most important at the agency, managing diplomatic engagements like high-level visits, signing ceremonies and state dinners. But its chief, Cam Henderson, and her deputy, Mary-Kate Fisher, have been at the center of a probe by the department's Office of Inspector General into allegations that Henderson's predecessorABC News obtained a copy of the OIG's draft report, which has not yet been published.
It's unclear why a final OIG report hasn't been released since then. Steve Linick, the inspector general under whom the report was conducted, was fired in May by President Donald Trump at Pompeo's request. A spokesperson for the OIG did not respond to questions. During testimony last Wednesday, Brian Bulatao, a longtime Pompeo confidante who serves as under secretary for management, defended the use of staff to run the Pompeos' personal errands -- and he specifically said that he did so for the Pompeos, because that is the implication -- even though federal regulations require that federal employees use their time for official duties and not request subordinates perform personal duties.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords, assisted by U.S. chief of protocol Cam Henderson, on the South Lawn of the White House, Sept. 15, 2020. The office also helped arrange the"Madison dinners," a series of evenings at the department's storied reception rooms for elite guests, including Republican officials, CEOs and business leaders, and members of the media.
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