WASHINGTON (AP) – The Education Department’s chief information officer has collapsed after undergoing grueling questioning from lawmakers about his work on side businesses with subordinates, failure to pay taxes on his profits and award of a government contract to a friend’s company.
A department spokeswoman says the official, Danny Harris, collapsed Tuesday outside the hearing room and was taken to a hospital, where he is being evaluated by doctors.
Harris had testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about ethics complaints against him. He took responsibility for his actions, apologized and said his behavior was unacceptable.
Harris received counseling from several senior department officials and was not expected to receive any further punishment. Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges related to his acknowledged failure to report income from his side business to the Internal Revenue Service.