The Interior Department’s internal watchdog is investigating whether Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke violated conflict-of-interest laws when the foundation he established brokered a real estate deal with developers linked to global oil services firm Halliburton, according to a report.
“You expressed special concern about the reported funding by a top executive at Halliburton and assuring decisions that affect the nation’s welfare are not compromised by individual self enrichment,” Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote in a letter to House Democrats obtained by Politico, referring to Halliburton Chairman David Lesar.
“My office opened an investigation into this matter on July 16,” Kendall continued.
When news first broke that Lesar was trying to buy real estate managed by Zinke’s Great Northern Veterans Peace Park Foundation in his hometown of Whitefish, Mont., Zinke’s spokeswoman Heather Swift said the secretary was no longer affiliated with the organization. It was also reported at the time that the transaction, pursued to build a commercial development, was a private deal unrelated to Halliburton.
Swift, however, did not refute that the Zinke family’s involvement in the purchase might still result in a conflict of interest given the role the secretary plays in regulating oil and gas drilling activities. Zinke’s wife, Lolita, is still president of the foundation, and Politico reported that the family could run a microbrewery on the redeveloped site.
The Interior Department’s inspector general previously cleared Zinke of any wrongdoing regarding his use of military and chartered flights. In addition, the Office of Special Counsel exonerated Zinke of violating the Hatch Act for several potential violations of federal rules governing political activity by government officials.
