Louisiana’s inspector general says Gov. Bobby Jindal’s use of state resources in his political attack on Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul raises “questions,” and recommends Jindal not issue such statements through his office in the future.
The opinion from Inspector General Stephen Street comes just days after Jindal issued a statement Wednesday through his office with his official state letterhead, in which he criticizes Paul’s foreign policy ideas and describes him as “unsuited to be Commander-in-Chief.” Jindal recently launched an exploratory committee for his own presidential bid.
The release prompted Democrats and other critics of the governor to call for an investigation into the matter; they claimed it was a misuse of public funds and a violation of the state constitution. However, Street says legal ambiguities make it unclear if the broadside from Jindal violated the state constitution, which forbids using public funds for political purposes.
“The governor’s office could have easily avoided such questions by issuing the statement through means that did not involve the use of public funds or employees,” reads Street’s statement. “Public officials, including the governor, have the right to support or oppose candidates, parties or propositions, as long as public funds are not used … OIG recommends that, in order to avoid confusion and any appearance of impropriety in the future, any such statements by the governor be issued through non-publicly funded means, rather than through his publicly funded and maintained website.”
After concerns were raised about the release, Jindal spokesman Mike Reed issued a statement defending the statement by Jindal through his official office.
“Matters of national security are very important to Louisianians, and Louisiana is home to many American soldiers,” Reed said in the statement to local media. “The suggestion that the governor of Louisiana cannot or should not comment on matters of national security is without merit.”
See Jindal’s press release on Paul, and check out the complete statement by the inspector general.
