A government watchdog has alleged that Elaine Chao, former transportation secretary and wife of Republican Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, abused her power while in office. The watchdog said that she should be prosecuted for it.
An inspector general report released Wednesday said that Chao had used her office’s staff to conduct personal tasks and to promote a shipping business owned by her father and sisters, the Associated Press reported. The business does extensive business with China.
If the allegations were true, they would violate federal ethics rules. However, the inspector general’s report claimed that the Justice Department declined to investigate the allegations against Chao in late December, citing no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Chao resigned in early January 2021 in response to the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. She wrote that the riots had “deeply unsettled” her.
A government watchdog has alleged that former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, wife of Republican Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, abused her power and should be prosecuted. In this January 11, 2017 photo, Chao testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee as her husband, McConnell, looks on. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
