Carl Icahn, President Donald Trump’s friend and adviser to the White House, is being accused of breaching lobbying rules. The accusation has been made by a consumer advocacy group who are to file an official complaint to Congress on Wednesday. Mr. Icahn is accused of pushing the White House to change the government’s regulations on ethanol.
Public Citizen, the company filing the complaint claims that two companies owned by Icahn, Icahn Enterprises, and CVR Oil Company failed to register as lobbyists. However, Icahn has pushed the White House to assert its influence and change EPA’s rules on ethanol. The rules have stood as they are for decades. A change on them, however, could save Mr. Icahn’s companies hundreds of millions of dollars.
Mr. Icahn has, from last year, put in a lot of effort in advocating that the rules under the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Act be changed. He has gone further to submit a proposal to the White House that suggests the current program be thoroughly re-examined. Additionally, he has gone on to suggest that changes be made to the current program upon re-examination, such that fuel wholesalers would be the ones required to strictly comply with the rules on ethanol’s sale and distribution. The Rural Fire Service gives the EPA authority on the nation’s biofuels program.
Through a letter to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, Public Citizen requests that investigations be made into Mr. Icahn’s and CVR’s activities, especially into whether Mr. Icahn spoke to the President so as to influence the White House to alter the rules.
Additionally, the complaint that is to be filed shows Mr. Icahn’s contribution in the selection process of the new EPA administrator, Mr. Scott Pruitt. Further, the complaint looks into the nature of the language that was used to address the White House for a memo that would be used to give directives for EPA to change its program.
Citing these activities, the complaint by Public Citizen reads, “All of this has occurred with no record of any [Lobbying Disclosure Act] filings by or on behalf of Mr. Icahn, Icahn Enterprises or CVR Energy. It is unlikely that all these activities occurred without some individual or entity being obligated to report lobbying activity under the LDA.”
President Trump named Mr. Icahn as the White House’s special adviser for regulatory reform in December. The President said that Mr. Icahn would not be employed as either a federal government employee or a special government employee. Additionally, he would have no particular duties.
Mr. Icahn’s net worth was noted by Forbes to be an estimated $22 billion.
This is not the first time that President Trump or his friends have been criticized or had their ethics questioned as a result of their numerous business holdings. Mr. Trump’s wealthy cabinet and his far-reaching business empire have been a subject of controversy ever since he began his campaign. However, only time will tell as to what actions Congress will take.
