Letter to John Barger, United States Postal Service Board of Govenors - Reps Krishnamoorthi And Porter Request Information On Possible Political Motivations For Louis DeJoy's Candidacy As Postmaster General

Letter

Dear Governor Barger,
We are writing to you regarding your role in the selection process for a new Postmaster General
to replace the 74th Postmaster General, Megan Brennan, following the fulfillment of her five-year
term. It is our understanding that you influenced the selection of the current Postmaster General,
Louis DeJoy.
As you know, the executive hiring firm Russell Reynolds Associates was contracted to research
and recommend a candidate to the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors for
the position of Postmaster General. [1] According to individuals familiar with the process, Mr.
Louis DeJoy was never recommended by this firm but was rather introduced by you to the
selection committee.
[2]
It would have been irregular for a member of the USPS Board of
Governors, such as yourself, to recommend Mr. DeJoy without the consultation, research, or
support of the contracted hiring firm Russell Reynolds Associates.
When you were asked about any reservations that Former Inspector General of the USPS and
Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors, David Williams, may have had with the selection
process of Mr. Louis DeJoy you were quoted in an article stating that you, "never heard an
objection from David Williams about any of the candidates, other than the ones we did not hire."
[3]
In response to this claim made by you, our staff contacted David Williams who stated, "I had
expressed concerns after each of the interviews with Mr. Louis DeJoy. I urged that a background investigation be conducted. And when I resigned, I cited it as one of my reasons for submitting
my resignation to Chairman Robert Duncan." [4]
Given your extensive record of making financial contributions to Republican Party officials,
several of which have been made while you were a sitting member of the USPS Board of
Governors, [5][6] we request the following information about any possible coordination you may
have had with political entities when recommending Mr. Louis DeJoy to the selection
committee:
1. Did you recommend Mr. Louis DeJoy for the role of Postmaster General to the selection
committee without possessing or being aware of any information, research, or
suggestions provided by Russell Reynolds Associates?
2. Did Russell Reynolds Associates have the opportunity to recommend other candidates
before or after your recommendation, and if so, were these candidates considered in
addition to Mr. Louis DeJoy?
3. Did the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governor Chairman Robert Duncan suggest or
request that you recommend Mr. Louis DeJoy to the Postmaster General selection
committee?
4. Did you discuss the recommendation of Mr. Louis DeJoy for Postmaster General with
any Republican Party officials or individuals involved with these entities?
5. Did you discuss the recommendation of Mr. Louis DeJoy for Postmaster General with
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin or any of his staff members?
6. Did Former Inspector General of the USPS David Williams raise concerns about the
selection process for Mr. Louis DeJoy?
We request written answers to the above questions by August 27th, 2020.

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