A government watchdog whose alleged misconduct has pushed members of Congress to call for his removal has spent more than $250,000 to hire a private law firm to defend his office against what appears to be a wrongful termination case.

Todd Zinser, the Department of Commerce inspector general, was the subject of a more than two-year bipartisan investigation into allegations that he covered up findings of fraud, hired personal friends and allowed staff in his office to retaliate against whistleblowers.

Recommended Stories

Bad things happen to whistleblowers when watchdogs become attack dogs

Watchdog finds widespread fraud at U.S. Census Bureau

Contracting, lobbying reform top watchdog’s list of oversight priorities