Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
A bombshell report from Politico this morning details Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s shady foundation dealings and land development deals that have been mixed with oil behemoth Halliburton’s chairman. According to the report, a foundation Zinke established and run by his wife, Lola, is playing a central role -- and stands to benefit significantly -- in a real estate deal backed by David Lesar, Halliburton’s chairman and longtime donor to Zinke’s political campaigns.
Funded by Lesar, a group is pursuing a large commercial development in Whitefish, Montana, Zinke’s hometown. In the development would be a microbrewery, which Zinke first proposed in 2012 and has pursued doggedly ever since. According to Whitefish’s city planner, the developer has suggested that the microbrewery be set aside for the Zinke’s to own and operate. To aid in the development of the project, Lola Zinke has pledged -- in writing -- to permit Lesar’s development to include a parking lot for the project on land that had been donated to the foundation to create a park for veterans.
The Zinke’s first put forth plans to build the park, already named the Veterans Peace Park, 10 years ago, but development has yet to begin. Now, at least part of it will be used for a parking lot for commercial development.
Even if the Zinke’s never construct the brewery they’ve pushed for a half-decade, they still stand to benefit by the land they own, seated next to the future development, increasing in value substantially.
Meanwhile, Halburton continues to lobby Zinke’s Interior Department. The former acting director of the Office of Government Ethics under George W Bush even commented on the inappropriate nature of Lesar and Zinke’s relationship, and said Zinke must recuse himself from any policy decisions affecting Halliburton.
All of this comes as Zinke continues to face scrutiny over his shady PAC dealings, including using only $7,000 of more than $180,000 raised by his super PAC to influence an election, and obscuring personal interest in his official duties at Interior when he spoke to one of his largest donors hockey team, which just lost the Stanley Cup.
In response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement:
“While Ryan Zinke works to mine our public lands, it’s clear he is a mine of scandals onto himself. A complete investigation into all of Zinke’s financial holdings and PACs must be conducted immediately, and Congress must demand he answer for these scandals.”
About the Sierra Club
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