Sebelius broke federal law by campaigning for Obama

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius violated federal law when she campaigned earlier this year for President Barack Obama, according to federal investigators.

Sebelius broke the law by making “extemporaneous partisan remarks” during an address at a human rights campaign event in Charlotte, North Carolina in February, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) said on Wednesday.

She made the comments in the same city that would go on host the Democratic National Convention.

"One of the imperatives is to make sure that we not only come together here in Charlotte to present the nomination to the president, but we make sure that in November, he continues to be president for another four years," Sebelius said, according to the OSC.

The agency said Sebelius’ comments violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits public officials from campaigning in an official capacity.

The agency said the Department of Health and Human Services reclassified the trip from official to political after the event, adding that the federal government was reimbursed for related costs.

Despite the amendment, the OSC has concluded that Sebelius violated federal law and has sent a report to the president.

There is no formal rule for dealing with such cases, a majority of which are resolved internally, with violators receiving a suspension.