Presidential hopeful Sen Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) last week called on the Interior Department inspector general to conduct a broad review of potential conflicts of interest between Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles and oil and natural gas companies.

In a letter to Inspector General Earl E. Devaney, Lieberman said his concerns were based on a number of news stories indicating that Griles, a former industry consultant, met with oil and gas officials whom he once represented and who have an interest in department decisions. These actions could represent a violation of two agreements Griles signed prior to assuming office to recuse himself from department business that involved his former clients.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month, citing documents obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request, that Griles had participated in meetings to discuss oil and gas leases in which his one-time clients had a stake, said Lieberman, ranking Democrat on the Governmental Affairs Committee.

“These reports raise numerous, troubling questions about whether the deputy secretary has successfully avoided conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts,” he noted. The reports “raise questions about the adequacy of [Interior’s] efforts to insure full compliance with recusal requirements designed to insure impartiality in decision-making.”

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