WASHINGTON — Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke failed to meet ethical obligations by continuing to be involved in Montana land negotiations and directing government employees to assist him while serving in his Cabinet post, government investigators said Wednesday.
Zinke, who served under former President Donald Trump and is now running to reclaim his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, “failed to abide by his ethics obligations” because of his continued involvement in the land deal, the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General said in its report. He also violated his “duty of candor” when questioned about the matter, the report said.
Zinke furthermore “misused his official position in violation of federal regulations by directing his subordinates to assist him with matters related to” the project and a foundation he established in 2007.
