Ahead of another contentious presidential election year, the bipartisan federal commission tasked with strengthening election security across the country quietly confirmed in January that its third executive director had left the agency. Ta.
Now, a recently released summary of a government watchdog's investigation shows why.
Stephen M. Frid, former executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, was fired late last year for granting large raises and funneling unauthorized tax dollars to a leadership class at Harvard University, an inspector general report says. It became clear.
According to the inspector general's investigation summary dated April 5 and released Thursday, “Mr. Frido fraudulently sought an increase in his personal pay by $31,450 per year without the knowledge of his supervisors, the EAC Commissioners. “I earned it.”
Mr. Frid, who was receiving an annual salary of $172,100 up until the time of his raise, was able to receive the raise without his superiors' knowledge “by requesting and receiving 'significant pay' privileges from the Office of Personnel Management,” the summary says. Says. state.
The investigation also found that Mr. Frid took three leadership training courses at Harvard University last summer, at a cost to authorities of $28,300, without first obtaining the required approval from commissioners. . Frid did not report 96 hours of vacation or any other leave last year, according to the summary.
Frid, 41, did not immediately return a message from NBC News on Tuesday.
An EAC spokesperson said late Tuesday afternoon that she would forward requests for comment to commission officials, but the EAC did not issue a statement on the investigation by close of business.
Established in 2002 by the Help America Vote Act in the wake of the “Hanging Chad” controversy during the 2000 presidential election, the EAC provides funding and other funding to state election offices to improve the administration and security of federal elections. We provide support.
The EAC is overseen by four commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump each successfully appointed two commissioners who still serve. ing.
The four commissioners oversee the agency's executive director, who oversees a staff of 75 other full-time employees and this year's annual budget of $27.7 million. The agency has experienced significant turnover in senior staff in recent years.
In initial reports about Frid's departure, EAC did not explain why he left the agency.
According to a summary released last week, commissioners unanimously voted to dismiss Fried on Dec. 27 after being informed by the EAC's inspector general about the status of the investigation into the allegations surrounding him. The investigation found no evidence that Mr. Frid made false statements when applying for approval of his salary increase, but it was referred to the Department of Justice, which said, “The Department of Justice did not pursue this matter.'' refused,” the summary states.
Frid, who has been in the top job for less than a year, previously worked at several federal agencies, including the Department of Education and the Secret Intelligence Service.
His LinkedIn profile lists among his academic accomplishments an executive leadership certificate he earned last year from Harvard University, but as of Tuesday, Frid's position was listed as “#OPENTOWORK.”