Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2018
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2018 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82
Author: Robert O'Harrow Jr., Washington Post

TRUMP'S 24-YEAR-OLD DRUG POLICY APPOINTEE QUITS AMID CONTROVERSY

A 24-year-old former Trump campaign worker who rose rapidly to a
senior post in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
will step down by the end of the month because of controversy
surrounding his appointment, the White House said late Wednesday.

Taylor Weyeneth, who graduated from college in May 2016, was named a
White House liaison to the drug office in March and then promoted to
deputy chief of staff in July, at age 23. His only professional
experience after college and before becoming a political appointee was
working on the Trump presidential campaign.

The office, known as ONDCP, is responsible for coordinating anti-drug
initiatives at 16 federal agencies and supporting President Trump's
efforts to confront the opioid epidemic.

"Mr. Weyeneth has decided to depart ONDCP at the end of the month,"
the White House statement said. A spokesman said Weyeneth was not
available to speak.

The announcement follows Washington Post stories that detailed
Weyeneth's rapid rise at ONDCP - in large part because of staff
turnover and vacancies - and inconsistencies and inaccuracies on three
resumes he submitted to the government.

Early last year, Weyeneth revised dates relating to certain jobs he
held, including one at a New York law firm. A partner at the firm told
The Post that Weyeneth was "discharged" because he stopped showing up
for work.

On all three resumes, Weyeneth maintained that he had a master's
degree from Fordham University, although a university spokesman said
Weyeneth had not completed his coursework.

In response to inquiries from The Post, the White House on Jan. 12
said that Weyeneth would remain at ONDCP but take on a less-important
job.

Weyeneth stayed on through the brief government shutdown that began
over the weekend and was one of three ONDCP employees designated as
essential, officials said. The White House's announcement Wednesday
came after questions from The Post about that designation.
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