WASHINGTON _ A Democratic-affiliated group is asking the Department of Transportation's inspector general to open an inquiry into whether Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao gave preferential treatment and steered millions of federal transportation dollars to the home state of her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The request was lodged Tuesday by American Democracy Legal Fund, an arm of the liberal super PAC, American Bridge. It says Chao's actions appear to be a "flagrant misuse of her official position" and may violate federal ethics rules that govern conflicts of interest.
The complaint comes a week after Politico reported that Chao had designated a special liaison in her office to handle Kentucky transportation projects.
