The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission published a spokesperson statement rejecting allegations in a Bloomberg report about Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham and confirming that the agency has removed its former head of Human Resources from that role pending an internal investigation, with related matters referred to the CFTC’s Office of Inspector General. The internal review concerns HR’s handling of issues including concerns raised by a federal judge and a former United States Attorney about alleged false statements to a court and other alleged misconduct by Division of Enforcement staff, reports that unionized staff worked remotely from outside the United States in breach of agency policy and applicable laws and with cybersecurity implications, and allegations of illegal targeting of Republicans in violation of the First Amendment. The employee has not been terminated and was replaced by a staff member who previously served as the CFTC’s Equal Employment Opportunity officer, and the CFTC said the move did not violate any Executive Order. The statement also denied claims about Pham’s travel, saying it was reviewed and approved by agency officials and that any personal travel costs, including business-class travel, hotel stays, and commuting expenses, were paid with personal funds. At Pham’s direction, an external law firm is conducting an independent review of alleged Division of Enforcement misconduct connected to CFTC v. Traders Global Group, including a Commission closed meeting in August 2023 and subsequent events, other alleged misconduct tied to enforcement recommendations including an October 2023 union grievance, and internal procedures for administrative proceedings in enforcement matters. The scope also includes allegations of a hostile work environment linked to Pham’s raised concerns about staff misconduct, which the statement said are not supported by recordings and transcripts of closed Commission meetings.

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