 In the 1970s, Harman accepted an appointment in the Carter administration as deputy secretary of the Department of Commerce.When Harman took office in 1976 as head in charge, he sold his company to conglomerate Beatrice Foods to avoid a conflict of interest.Beatrice promptly sold many portions of the company, including the original Harman Kardon division, and by 1980 only 60% of the original company remained.