According to watchdogs, an investigative consultant hired by the January 6 Committee had a major conflict of interest.
Based on his LinkedIn profile and an internal congressional document obtained by the DCNF, Brian Young is an investigator for Polar Solutions Inc and a contractor for the January 6 Committee. Nevertheless, he is married to House Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Kim E. Campbell, the second most senior official in the SAA, which like U.S. Capitol Police, is being investigated for security failures during the Capitol riot.
According to Tom Jones, executive director of the American Accountability Foundation, the relationship could pose a “huge conflict of interest” if Young reviews the SAA or Capitol Police’s performance.
Jones told the DCNF that Young should disclose his work for the J6 Committee. A husband can’t assess his wife’s performance independently and objectively.
As part of their responsibilities, the SAA offices in the House and Senate work closely with U.S. Capitol Police to ensure Capitol security, protect members, and handle emergencies. In response to the Capitol riot, the January 6 Committee is investigating “the sharing of intelligence” between federal, state, and local agencies.
The committee will also look into the “systems for monitoring” intelligence used by the House SAA and other government offices before January 6, 2020. In February 2021, former House SAA Paul Irving, who resigned one day after the Capitol riot, testified. Irving stated before the committee that more needs to be done to ensure better security for the U.S. He plans to issue an interim and final report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
In December 2021 and January 2022, Polar Solutions received over $93,000, according to House disbursement records. Polar Solutions provides professional services and expertise to the Legislative Branch for Law Enforcement, National Defense, and National Security, according to Young’s LinkedIn profile.
Assuming he communicated with his wife about a matter involving her office, it is Ethics Conflicts 101, Michael Chamberlain, director of the watchdog Protect the Public’s Trust, told DCNF. Ethics laws were enacted first to prevent this type of conflict of interest from affecting government affairs.
In addition, Chamberlain questions how he was even allowed to be in such a position in the first place. In such a high-profile and controversial committee, why would anyone jeopardize the credibility of their investigation? The committee’s efforts are already questionable in the first place, and it certainly doesn’t help.