State Department Press Director Elizabeth Trudeau said Thursday it was not inappropriate for an executive at the Clinton Foundation to recommend to the department that it hire someone, despite the potential for a conflict of interest.
Associated Press reporter Matt Lee asked Trudeau about how appropriate it was for Clinton Foundation executive Doug Band to recommend a person for a position at the State Department while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. Band had sent an email with the subject line "A favor..." to senior Clinton aides. Human Abedin, a longtime Clinton aide, replied to Band’s email that the State Department’s personnel office was sending the unnamed individual a list of job options.
Trudeau refused to name the hired individual due to privacy reasons and would not comment on a specific hiring case. She said it is normal for the State Department to bring in individuals from a variety of places and organizations during all administrations.
After Trudeau read her initial answer in a statement, Lee rephrased his question to Trudeau.
"The Department does not believe it was inappropriate for Mr. Band to make the recommendation, that’s the bottom line?" Lee asked.
"Correct," Trudeau said.