You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. A new disclosure also shows $210,000 in consulting fees paid to Cheryl Hines, the health secretary’s wife, by one of several MAHA-affiliated groups capitalizing from his agenda.
The advances were for two books that will be published by a company owned by a longtime friend and business associate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who also sits atop a constellation of MAHA-related entities.Credit...Ruth Fremson/The New York Times Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accepted $4 million in book advances and more than $270,000 in gifts over the past year from close allies who are working to advance his Make America Healthy Again agenda, according to his latest financial disclosure form.
Ethics experts said the financial relationships may violate federal rules barring officials from profiting from their government position, and call into question the secretary’s ability to remain independent and impartial. Kennedy who also sits atop a constellation of MAHA-related entities, including some that accept political contributions and corporate sponsorships from health-related companies. Kennedy’s wife, accepted $210,000 in consulting fees from MAHA Action, a nonprofit advocacy group also led by Mr.
It rallies supporters of Mr. Kennedy’s priorities on weekly broadcasts and backs health-related legislation, including a federal bill to end liability protection for vaccine makers. In an ethics filing before taking office, Mr.
Kennedy pledged not to “engage in any writing, editing or promotional activities” associated with the books, but did not promise to forgo advances. Ethics experts said the payments related to one book called “Unsettled Science” raised questions since federal rules say that an official may not “receive compensation from any source other than the government” for writing a book related to his official duties while in office. (The other book is called “A Defense of Israel.”) Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit andlog intoyour Times account, orsubscribefor all of The Times.
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