Clinton advisers, Credit cards

Clinton drops strategist

Mark Penn resigned this week as chief strategist for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, following criticism over his lobbying work for a Colombian trade deal that Clinton opposes. Penn, who is also head of the Burson-Marsteller public relations agency, was hired by the Colombian government to promote the deal. Penn called his work on the deal “an error in judgment.” The Colombian government said Penn’s handling of the matter was insulting, and fired his firm. Penn will continue to do polling for Clinton.

Credit card use questioned

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Federal employees used government-issued credit cards to buy lingerie, iPods, and other unauthorized items, the Government Accountability Office said. An audit of spending by federal departments found that four in 10 credit card purchases were improper, either because they were for personal articles or because card users did not obtain required approvals.