Washington (CNN) The Justice Department is investigating Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for possibly using his office for personal gain, following a referral from Interior's inspector general, two sources familiar with the investigation say. IG investigations into ZinkeThis summer, Interior's inspector general began investigating Zinke's relationship with Halliburton's chairman, including an August 2017 meeting Zinke held at Interior. As a major energy producer, some of Halliburton's business is regulated by the Interior Department. While the inspector general post has been vacant since 2011, Kendall has led the office since 2009 as the deputy inspector general. The appointment of a political official as the acting inspector general was seen within the government watchdog community as highly unusual.

Source: CNN October 30, 2018 18:51 UTC