Opinion ID: 2757598
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hatch Act Violations

Text: Mr. Lewis also argues that the Board failed to consider his contentions that he had no knowledge of the Hatch Act. If the Board had examined these facts, Mr. Lewis alleges, it would have concluded that he was innocent. The Hatch Act prohibits an USPS employee from running for partisan political office. This prohibition does not require knowledge or intent, as Mr. Lewis suggests. Rather, the statute simply states that a USPS employee may not “run for nomination or as a candidate for election to a partisan political office.” 5 U.S.C. § 7323(a)(3). Mr. Lewis is correct, though, that an individual must “knowingly solicit, accept or receive a political contribution from any person,” in order to violate the restriction against political fundraising. 5 U.S.C. § 7323(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Mr. Lewis contends he cannot be guilty if he had no knowledge that the soliciting of donations LEWIS v. MSPB 11 violated any law, the statutory knowledge requirement does not require such scienter. Rather, the statute simply states one must knowingly solicit a political contribution, which even in Mr. Lewis’ untimely response, he admits. See Respondent’s Appendix at 87 (Mr. Lewis, in his answer, admits that his campaign website asked for donations and provided a link to PayPal where individuals could donate to his campaign). Here, the Board found it was undisputed that Mr. Lewis participated in two partisan elections and knowingly solicited political contributions during both campaigns via his campaign website and Facebook page. Board Decision, 121 M.S.P.R. at 115. Substantial evidence supports these conclusions. Therefore, we affirm the Board’s determination that Mr. Lewis violated the Hatch Act.