Probe clears acting defense head of alleged bias in Pentagon

By ROBERT BURNS and LOLITA C. BALDOR
April 25, 2019

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon’s watchdog agency on Thursday cleared Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan of wrongdoing in connection with allegations that he had used his official position to favor his former employer, Boeing Co.

The decision by the Defense Department inspector general appears to open the door for President Donald Trump to nominate Shanahan to succeed Jim Mattis as defense secretary. The White House, however, has not said whether Trump intends to do so. Shanahan is not thought to face any organized opposition to Senate confirmation, although his career service in the defense industry and limited government experience could be issues.

After Mattis quit last December in protest of Trump’s policies, the president installed Shanahan as acting secretary but did not nominate him. Although he has publicly praised Shanahan’s work, Trump has seemed content letting him remain in limbo, as he has with a number of other Cabinet-level officials and others.

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In a written statement summarizing the outcome of its probe, which began on March 15, the inspector general’s office said it “did not substantiate any of the allegations and determined that Acting Secretary Shanahan fully complied with his ethical obligations and agreements regarding Boeing and its competitors.”

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