Ethical flags raised by former Google CEO's influence over Biden science office

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's foundation has reportedly funneled money into the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in the past year, raising ethical concerns about his influence among former employees and internal watchdogs.

Schmidt, who has long sought to influence federal science and technology policy, has played a significant role in shaping the White House OSTP in the past year, including maintaining a close relationship with former top science adviser Eric Lander and using his foundation to pay the salaries of two White House employees indirectly, according to a Politico report.

More than a dozen officials in the 140-person White House science office have been associates of Schmidt, and the steps taken by the office to have Schmidt Futures, Schmidt's charity arm, pay the salaries of some White House staff have raised concerns about conflicts of interest, given Schmidt's financial stakes in industries over which the OSTP has influence.