RFK Jr. earned millions from law work, book deals
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HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines at the inauguration ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
HHS Secretary designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earned $326,000 from the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense and a $100,000 licensing fee for use of the Make America Healthy Again brand, according to financial disclosure forms posted by the Office of Government Ethics.
Why it matters: The forms offer a detailed picture into Kennedy's extensive financial holdings and how he'd resolve potential conflicts of interest if he's confirmed.
- The Senate Finance Committee announced Wednesday that it will hold a confirmation hearing on Kennedy's nomination on Jan. 29. That's expected to be followed by a second hearing in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee a day later.
The big picture: Kennedy reported more than $11.3 million in earnings, including $8.8 million from the law firm Kennedy & Madonna. He pledged to transfer or forfeit interests in contingency fee cases if confirmed.
- He also earned $481,732 from JW Howard, a law firm he worked for and remains of counsel to. The firm represented a health freedom group in an appellate court challenge to a COVID-19 vaccination mandate imposed by the Los Angeles Unified School District. Kennedy indicated he would not be paid going forward.
- He received $856,559 in fees on contingency cases from Wisner Baum, where he served as co-counsel in suing Merck over patient injury claims from Gardasil, a vaccine approved to protect against human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is a leading cause of cervical cancer.
Between the lines: Kennedy reported income from several other sources including stock investments, books, endorsements and a licensing deal, as well as $100,000 speaking gigs.
- His investment holdings include the biotechs CRISPR Therapeutics AG and Dragonfly Therapeutics, and tech giants Apple and Amazon, which both have health care arms. He pledged to divest if confirmed.
- Per the report, he earned $451,000 from Skyhorse Publishing for author introductions, book ideas and forwards to other authors' works. He is still owed at least $2 million in book advances. He committed to halt all related activities if confirmed.
- He also received $100,000 from Jeff Hayes ,who made a documentary about RFK Jr., in a licensing agreement for using the Make America Healthy Again brand marks.
The intrigue Kennedy reported a $100,000 deal to endorse a $30 app-enabled fitness game called Boxbollen on social media. The game involves hitting a ball that is connected to a strap that's worn on the head. He reported returning $50,000 because he wasn't able to fulfill his duties.
The report also lists financial income sources for his wife, actress and producer Cheryl Hines, including residuals for the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," as well as a $600,000 book advance.
