Zinke cleared of violating federal rules tied to Pennsylvania special election
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has cleared former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke of accusations that he arranged a grant announcement to interfere in a Pennsylvania special election, CNN reported Tuesday.
The OSC, which is separate from special counsel Robert Mueller's office, "found no evidence that you violated the Hatch Act during this event," according to a letter obtained by CNN.
Zinke announced mine cleanup grants, including $55 million in Pennsylvania, near the district where then-candidates Rick Saccone (R) and Conor Lamb (D) were running for a congressional seat, according to the letter, which was dated Monday. Saccone was present at the announcement, but "did not have a speaking or other preferred role" at the event, the letter said.
"OSC's investigation found that the evidence established that [Department of the Interior] DOI had official, nonpolitical, reasons for making the grant announcement," the letter said.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/overnights/433719-zinke-cleared-of-violating-federal-rules-pertaining-to