Francis “Frank” Biden, the president’s brother, has been appointed as a non-lawyer, senior adviser to Berman Law Group, a Boca Raton law firm in 2018. The firm regularly shows Frank Biden’s ties to the president, with Frank and his family connections. prominently on their website, in advertisements and on social media.
The White House said last week that it was its policy not to allow businesses to have Biden’s support or endorsement. But they did not want to comment specifically on the ad.
On Wednesday, a White House official told CNN that there is currently a process involving the White House Board and family representatives to address issues, as it could raise any questions of possible conflict of interest.
In 2020, before the November election, the firm also launched two lawsuits against China and other Chinese government agencies related to the coronavirus outbreak. Press statements for the two lawsuits state that “Francis Biden, brother of Joe Biden, is a senior adviser to the firm.”
The firm says Frank Biden was not involved in the cases.
“We have not yet spoken to federal government officials about any of our cases. There have been no discussions between the firm (including Frank Biden), with President Biden, the campaign, transition or administration over the law firm or any matters including China. related matters, and there will not be, “Matthew Moore, a lawyer for the Berman Law Group, told CNN in a statement.
But the firm has made ample public notice of their politically connected employee.
The president and the White House maintain that the Biden family will distance themselves from West Wing affairs.
“President Biden has set and maintained the highest ethical standards for himself, his administration and those around him, and he has promised an ‘absolute wall’ with private business interests of any family member. Any implications to that effect are untrue and are not supported by the facts. “” White House spokesman Michael Gwin said in a statement.
“We’re going to run it like the Obama-Biden administration,” Biden said. “No one in our family and extended family is going to be involved in any government enterprise or foreign policy.”
He added: “And no one has an office in this place. They always have access to Pop and Nana, but no one has an office.”
The president also indicated that he tried to avoid the perception of conflicts of interest during his years in public office.
“I remember years ago an accountant said, ‘You know, you (the Senate) can charge some of the gas you use in your vehicle.’ And I said, ‘No,’ Biden said. “Here’s how I look at it: the dirty line is 15 feet from the basket. “Never get me closer than 17 feet, because that’s really a matter of public confidence.”
But questions about the actions of family members extend beyond Frank Biden.
Then-President Donald Trump, his lawyer Rudy Giuliani and his Republican allies used questions about Biden’s foreign business ties in an attempt to characterize the Biden family as corrupt.
CNN’s Caroline Kelly and Heather Butler contributed to this report.