Audrey Robertson was appointed by US President Donald Trump as head of the Energy Department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation in October.
Robertson was featured in the 2026 ‘Wish Book’ catalogue distributed by Colorado-based business Trice Jewellers, promoting the sale of a range of jewellery. Robertson was identified in the marketing material by her position with the US government.
The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed an ethics complaint and submitted a request for a formal investigation.
“Officials’ use of their government position and title in nonofficial contexts creates the appearance that the employee is using their public office for private gain of another,” the group said.
An Energy Department spokesperson told media sources that the advertising was an ‘oversight’ that has since been addressed.
"The appearance was an unpaid, personal appearance made in her capacity as a private individual, prior to her confirmation. Her title was added by the vendor as a biographical detail, rather than a suggestion of endorsement,” a statement explained.
“Once the error came to the department’s attention, Ms Robertson asked the vendor to make a correction. Ms Robertson fully adheres to all ethics requirements and upholds the highest standards of conduct."
Jeweller recently reported on the long and storied association of US President Trump and the watch industry.
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