Joe Lockhart joins Facebook staff

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet company Facebook said it has hired former White House press secretary Joe Lockhart to be its vice president of communications.

The move indicates Facebook anticipates continued scrutiny from federal regulators over issues such as privacy rights, Politico reported Wednesday.

Lockhart served in former President Bill Clinton's press office, frequently handling communications through the Monica Lewinski sex scandal.

Facebook vice president of global communications, marketing and public policy Elliot Schrage said, "Joe's arrival brings new skills and greater depth to our incredibly busy team."

Lockhart, who has worked for Democratic presidential bids since former President Jimmy Carter's run for a second term in 1980, is called a "Hall of Fame" Washington insider.

"If there's a hall of fame in D.C. for political operatives, Joe would be the first inductee," said political consultant Chris Lehane.

"He is the type of hire that makes sense for the company. The company has the potential to tell incredible, good stories about its importance to democracy. Someone like Joe will get how to package why this company is important both for individual members of Congress and agencies but also for its larger brand," Lehane said.