Report: Grand jury considers case against ex-Interior boss

WASHINGTON – The Washington Post reports that a grand jury is considering evidence concerning whether former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators.

The Associated Press reported in November that the Interior Department’s inspector general had referred an investigation of Zinke to the Justice Department.

The Post reported Friday that the case the grand jury is considering involves Zinke’s decision to block two Indian tribes from opening a casino in Connecticut, and whether Zinke lied to the inspector general’s investigators. The newspaper cites two people who had been briefed on the matter but spoke anonymously because grand jury proceedings are not public.

Zinke had come under scrutiny for his travel practices and other actions as secretary when he resigned in January. He dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.