According to a report by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), the U.S. government is taking seriously allegations against U.S. ambassador to Singapore, Jonathan Kaplan. The report accuses Kaplan of threatening his staff and failing to submit around $48,000 in travel expenses on time and with proper documentation.
The OIG report also stated that Kaplan, a political appointee, had poor relations with some Singaporean ministries and was often unprepared on issues. The report criticized Kaplan for not modeling integrity, planning strategically, collaborating, or communicating effectively.
The report highlighted that numerous staff members described feeling fear and experiencing direct threats of reprisal from Ambassador Kaplan. They also mentioned feeling belittled and intimidated by his mannerisms. However, Kaplan believed that morale had improved under his leadership and that he had gained the trust of his staff.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized the importance of managing people with dignity and respect. He mentioned that President Biden expects his representatives to uphold these values and expressed confidence in the State Department’s handling of the situation.
Kaplan, who is an entrepreneur, was criticized in the report for hiring consultants without following proper procedures. The report cited bills of $5,650 for a “furniture research project” and $4,250 for redesigning the embassy’s cafeteria as examples.
Furthermore, Kaplan was found to have disregarded many of the State Department’s travel policies. He failed to use a government-contracted travel agency and did not comply with a U.S. law requiring the use of U.S. carriers. The report noted approximately $48,000 in outstanding travel obligations dating back to December 2021.
In response to the report’s findings, the White House reassured reporters that the State Department is addressing the situation. It is expected that the department will assess Kaplan’s leadership and management and, if necessary, take corrective action.
Overall, the report sheds light on the challenges within the U.S. embassy in Singapore and raises concerns about Ambassador Kaplan’s conduct and decision-making. The government’s response to the report will likely have implications for Kaplan’s future as a diplomatic representative.
(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
