The controversy centers on press secretary Katie Zacharia’s repeated claims that she worked as a lawyer, including in corporate law in China|@KatieZacharia|X
Questions about White House press secretary Katie Zacharia’s professional background have prompted a formal complaint to California’s legal authorities.
The controversy centers on Zacharia’s repeated claims that she worked as a lawyer, including in corporate law in China. She graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school and identified herself as “general counsel” at Fix California on LinkedIn.
However, California bar officials told NBC News they have no record of her receiving a state license.
Zacharia addressed questions about her credentials on Tuesday, saying she practiced international transaction law in China.
Legal experts noted that advising on international deals does not necessarily mean someone holds a license to practice law.
Campaign for Accountability, a nonpartisan watchdog group, submitted the complaint on Wednesday, asking the State Bar of California to examine whether Zacharia misrepresented her legal qualifications. The group also wants prosecutors to review the matter if investigators find evidence of a crime.
The White House has defended her professional experience but has not produced evidence that she passed a US bar exam.