WASHINGTON - The Interior Department’s internal investigators have begun probing allegations of conflicts of interest involving Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, they confirmed Monday, just four days after the Senate confirmed the former corporate lobbyist to lead the agency. Deputy Interior Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon on Monday that her office had launched the probe to address seven separate ethics allegations levelled against Bernhardt, including one from Wyden. The Senate has confirmed Bernhardt as the Interior secretary. Article Continued BelowAnnouncement of the probe came on Bernhardt’s second full day as interior secretary. He represented oil and gas companies, California’s Westlands Water District and dozens of other clients, many with business before Interior.

Source: thestar April 15, 2019 21:44 UTC