Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, the Washington Post is reporting that much maligned Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke broke his ethics pledge by continuing to discuss business related to property owned by his family’s foundation. In emails, Zinke discussed land owned by the foundation, the same land that is connected to an ongoing Justice Department investigation into the Interior Secretary.
This revelation comes just after Donald Trump commented that he’s going to “take a look” at the allegations made against Zinke, and he wouldn’t be happy if he saw any wrongdoing. Trump made similar comments about since departed Cabinet members Scott Pruitt and Tom Price.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“If Ryan Zinke were looking for the right time to cover-up the announcement of his resignation just as he’s sought to cover-up his unethical and possibly illegal actions, he should do so within the next 36 hours while the rest of the country is voting to hold corrupt government officials like him accountable.”
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.