Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told CNN that any possible Department of Justice investigation into his conduct is "politically driven." He noted that as of Tuesday the DOJ had not contacted him.
Zinke's comment came as multiple outlets reported that the Interior Department's internal watchdog had referred an investigation into him to the DOJ for further probing.
When an agency refers a case to the DOJ, it's asking prosecutors to determine if the investigation should result in a criminal proceeding.
The Interior inspector general's office confirmed back in July that it was investigating Zinke's involvement in a land development deal in his home state of Montana.
Zinke's reportedly being investigated in at least 18 known cases — including the Interior Department's decision to bar two Native American tribes from opening a casino in Connecticut, and how much of a role he played in President Trump's decision to decrease the size of a Utah national monument.
It's unclear which investigation the Inspector general's office reportedly referred to the DOJ. Both offices wouldn't confirm or deny the media reports.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
