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Conway’s comments on Fox show draw legal complaint

Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump, ran afoul of federal law when she attacked the Democratic candidate in Alabama’s Senate special election during a Fox News appearance Monday morning, according to Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics.

Shaub, now at the Campaign Legal Center, tweeted Wednesday that he has filed a complaint against Conway with the US Office of Special Counsel, which said it would open a case file. That office investigates violations of the Hatch Act, which bars most government officials from using their positions to engage in partisan politics. Penalties can range from a fine to removal from federal service.

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In the case of political appointees, like Conway, penalties are determined by the president. Recent violations, including one in the Obama administration, have resulted only in additional training for the appointees. A White House spokesman said Conway did nothing wrong.

Conway stood in front of the White House during the Monday segment on ‘‘Fox & Friends’’ and was identified as a Trump counselor. She was promoting the Republican tax plan, but veered into electoral politics after expressing the hope that the measure would pass with bipartisan support.

‘‘Doug Jones in Alabama? Folks, don’t be fooled. He’ll be a vote against tax cuts,’’ Conway said of the Democratic candidate in the race.

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