Official Resigns Under A Cloud of Mystery And Multiple Positions

It seems the swamp creatures in Washington, D.C., are up to their old tricks again, folks. This time, we’ve got a high-ranking government official who thought they could double-dip without anyone noticing. Spoiler alert: they got caught. This story is a prime example of why we need to keep a watchful eye on those entrusted with taxpayer dollars and public service. So, let’s dive into this tale of greed, deception, and the inevitable fall from grace.

The Double Life of Caroline Lian

Caroline Lian, the now-former deputy director of D.C.’s Department of Buildings, has found herself in hot water after it was discovered she was secretly working two full-time jobs. Lian, who had been employed by the District’s Department of Buildings since 2022, was pulling in a cool $175,000 annually from taxpayers. But apparently, that wasn’t enough for our ambitious public servant.

It turns out Lian was also working full-time at Freddie Mac, raking in another six-figure salary. To add insult to injury, she was also serving as an elected official on the Falls Church City Council. Talk about wearing multiple hats!

Not quite FAFO yet – she was fined $25k but keeps all the rest of her DC income despite working apparently half the days for Freddie Mac for nearly 2 yearshttps://t.co/r53k9EvEei https://t.co/0Kv3va2cJY pic.twitter.com/KzjvBm7L1R

— Barred in DC (@BarredinDC) August 9, 2024

The Unraveling of a Deception

Lian’s house of cards came tumbling down when her dual employment was uncovered. She had managed to juggle her responsibilities by working a hybrid schedule, alternating between home and office for both jobs. However, her crafty time management skills couldn’t save her from the ethical quagmire she had created.

“Lian was found to have been secretly holding a second job and serving as an elected official in Falls Church, Virginia, while on D.C. government time.” Source: NBC News

The extent of Lian’s deception is truly staggering. She not only failed to disclose her government employment to Falls Church, listing only Freddie Mac as her employer, but she also had the audacity to attend Falls Church City Council meetings while supposedly working for the D.C. government. Talk about multi-tasking!

The Fallout and Consequences

As the old saying goes, “You can run, but you can’t hide.” Lian’s web of lies finally caught up with her, leading to her resignation from all three positions. But that’s not all, folks. She’s also agreed to pay a $25,000 fine for violating the city’s code of ethics. It’s a steep price to pay, but perhaps not steep enough considering the breach of public trust.

The incident has been reported to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for investigation, which means this story might have a few more chapters left. Both the D.C. Department of Buildings and Freddie Mac have confirmed Lian’s departure, emphasizing their commitment to ethical practices.

In the end, this sordid affair serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in public service. It’s a wake-up call for citizens to remain vigilant and for government agencies to tighten their oversight. As for Ms. Lian, well, she’ll have plenty of time now to reflect on her actions—perhaps while browsing the job listings. Let’s hope her next venture involves a bit more honesty and a lot less juggling.