Joe Biden has tapped longtime ally and former Democratic Senator Chris Dodd (Conn.) to represent the United States at a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders, a move that could boost Dodd’s extensive business dealings in the region. It looks like another massive conflict of interest. Given the overwhelming and numerous reports of nepotism, cronyism, and corruption surrounding the Bidens that have recently come to light, this move would appear to be stunningly tone-deaf, almost even inviting criticism.
Dodd will serve as a special advisor for the Summit of the Americas, a triennial conference of leaders from the Caribbean as well as North, Central, and South America. Dodd’s choice presents a prospective conflict of interest offered the previous senator’s work on Latin American issues at the white-shoe lobbying and law company, Arnold & Porter.
Biden and Dodd have actually been close buddies for years, extending back to their days in the Senate. Biden selected Dodd to supervise his running mate choice procedure in 2020, ignoring accusations of sexual misbehavior.
According to The Washington Free Beacon,
“Dodd and former senator Ted Kennedy (D., Mass.) allegedly groped a waitress during a booze-fueled encounter at a Washington, D.C., restaurant in 1985. The incident has since been dubbed the “waitress sandwich” affair.”
Dodd, who worked as head of the Motion Picture Association of America, was likewise a close ally of disgraced Hollywood magnate Harvey Weinstein. Dodd even confessed to providing Weinstein special treatment due to his political assistance.
Dodd is the most recent Biden ally to get a rewarding governmental consultation. Biden designated his long-time good friend and client, Joe Kiani, to serve on the distinguished President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the Washington Free Beacon reported. Kiani, the creator, and CEO of the medical gadget maker Masimo Corporation contributed $1 million to Biden’s charity and bundled $1 million in contributions for his 2020 governmental project.
Dodd consulted with Caribbean leaders in Barbados recently as part of his preparation for the top, which is themed “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future.” The occasion combines the heads of federal governments, magnate, and civic groups to go over financial, academic, and social concerns in the Western hemisphere. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting an occasion for CEOs at the start of the top.
Numerous of Arnold & Porter’s customers will have an inside track at the summit, which was last kept in Lima, Peru, in 2018. Dodd’s associates at Arnold & Porter’s Latin American system represent the federal governments of Ecuador, Argentina, El Salvador, and Venezuela, according to disclosures with the Justice Department.
A spokesperson for Arnold & Porter informed the Free Beacon after publication that Dodd entered intp an ethics agreement with the State Department in which he agreed not to take part in any matter that would benefit the company or its customers.
“He will have no contact with other lawyers or personnel at the firm on substantive matters relating to the Summit during the period that he is special envoy,” stated Wendy Morigi. She stated that Dodd has actually not been personally kept by any federal governments in the Western hemisphere and has actually not taken part in any lobbying activity that would need him to sign up as a foreign agent.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
H/T The Washington Free Beacon
