Caroline Lian, the now-former Deputy Director of the District of Columbia’s Department of Buildings, stepped down from her government post following an ethics probe brought to light by WUSA9. The investigation uncovered that Lian maintained a full-time position at Freddie Mac while also fulfilling her six-figure salary role at the DOB, a situation that raised substantial conflict of interest concerns. Adding to the complexity, Lian simultaneously served on the Falls Church City Council, a part-time commitment that added a further layer to her employment web.
The Board of Ethics and Government Accountability probe outlined the specifics of Lian's dual employment situation. Hired as Chief Operations Officer in 2022 and later promoted to Deputy Director in 2023, Lian was on the books to earn $175,000 a year from the DOB. But the overlapping schedule of her job at Freddie Mac, at which she had been employed since July 2015, afforded Lian the flexibility to work from home or in the office on different days of the week—a setup that seemingly concealed her tandem job duties. According to WJLA, she also neglected to accurately report her outside employment on her financial disclosures.
Lian's ethical breaches have led to a substantial fine of $25,000. She agreed to a settlement requiring a $17,000 upfront payment and the remaining balance paid through installments. The agreement also stipulated that Lian attend an ethics training, as reported by FOX 5 DC. But with her resignation, the terms of the settlement dictate that the remaining fine amount will be deducted from her final paycheck or compensation for unused annual leave.
The implications of Lian's departure extended into her political ambitions as well. Effective last Thursday, Lian resigned from the Falls Church City Council. "Upon review, the City discovered that the former council member listed only Freddie Mac as her employer and did not disclose her employment relationship with the District of Columbia", Following procedures set forth by state code, the City has relayed this information to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for investigation Mary Catherine Chase, spokesperson for the City of Falls Church, told WJLA. The City has since forwarded this matter to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for further investigation.
As the dust settles from these revelations, the District’s Department of Buildings commits to moving forward and ensuring proper adherence to ethical practices among its employees. Daniel Gleick, press secretary for the District's Department of Buildings, emphasized the agency's dedication to its mission and its residents, acknowledging that steps are being taken to prevent any similar future occurrences. "The Department of Buildings has accepted the employee’s resignation effective immediately, and she is no longer employed by District government," Gleick declared in a public statement.
