Pentagon inspector general report on Shanahan and Boeing expected next week
A Pentagon inspector general report examining whether acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan violated his ethics agreement is expected to be made public by the end of next week, according to a defense official familiar with the matter.
Posted — UpdatedIf Shanahan is cleared of the allegations, President Donald Trump may decide to move ahead and send his nomination to the Senate to become the permanent defense chief.
So far, there are no indications that the White House is considering candidates other than Shanahan. Officials close to the acting secretary say he strongly believes he will be nominated by the White House.
The investigation was launched to determine whether Shanahan violated ethics rules by promoting products made by his former employer, Boeing, while serving at the Pentagon. Shanahan has publicly told Congress he welcomes the investigation.
Shanahan, who worked at Boeing for more than 30 years prior to taking a job at the Pentagon, has faced accusations of being overly warm toward the company and claims that he "disparaged the company's competitors to his subordinates" from a federal watchdog called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.
The investigation was launched last month after CREW filed a complaint asking the inspector general to probe whether Shanahan's actions violated his signed ethics agreement, which aims to ensure there are no conflicts of interest with Boeing while he is at the Pentagon
Asked by reporters on Friday if he had heard from the IG, Shanahan responded "not yet."
While Shanahan is familiar with some initial conclusions he has not, as of Friday, received the final report from the inspector general, according to a second defense official.
The White House and Pentagon have both indicated Shanahan could not be nominated until the investigation is concluded.
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