DOJ Stalled Probe Against Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke: Sources

"Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen told prosecutors they needed more evidence to charge Zinke with lying to federal prosecutors."

"Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen deferred a bid from line prosecutors to move forward with possible criminal charges against former interior secretary Ryan Zinke, saying they needed to gather more evidence and refine the case, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The move late last year by Rosen, an appointee of President Trump, angered some career prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and has delayed for months the release of an Interior Department Office of Inspector General report about Zinke’s conduct.

At issue is whether Zinke made false statements to Interior investigators who were looking into his decision not to grant a petition by two Indian tribes to operate a commercial casino off reservation land in East Windsor, Conn."

Juliet Eilperin and Matt Zapotosky report for the Washingtonn Post November 12, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"Barr’s Decision on Voter Fraud Inflames Existing Tensions With Anticorruption Prosecutors" (New York Times)

Source: Washington Post, 11/13/2020