Kamala D. Harris

Kamala Harris has served as San Francisco District Attorney, California Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and Vice President of the United States. Throughout her career, she has faced various criticisms and investigations regarding her official actions and campaign practices, though she has never been charged with or convicted of criminal conduct. Notable controversies include: Crime Lab Scandal: As San Francisco District Attorney, Harris faced criticism after a technician in a police-run lab admitted to skimming cocaine from evidence. Her office failed to notify defense attorneys of the misconduct, leading a judge to rebuke her office and resulting in the dismissal of over 600 drug-related cases. Prosecutorial Conduct: As California Attorney General, Harris was criticized for her office's efforts to uphold convictions despite claims of prosecutorial misconduct, such as the use of false evidence or confessions in cases like People v. Velasco-Palacios. Personnel Issues: A sexual harassment claim against one of her top deputies during her time as Attorney General resulted in a $400,000 state settlement. The staffer later joined her Senate office and resigned in 2018 following inquiries into the settlement. Campaign and Policy Disputes: Harris has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and legal complaints, primarily challenging her official policies on immigration and criminal justice. Recently, her 2024 presidential campaign faced criticism and FEC complaints regarding $500,000 in donations made to Al Sharpton’s National Action Network shortly before an interview with him on MSNBC. Other scrutiny has focused on her prosecutorial record, with critics alleging she exaggerated the number of cases she personally tried, and potential conflicts of interest related to early career appointments and relationships. Investigations by groups like America First Legal have sought records regarding these and other past roles, though no findings of illegal activity have been reported.