A report made public on Wednesday shows that the U.S. Justice Department declined to investigate or prosecute then-Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao after allegations that she was misusing her position were sent to the inspector general’s office, Reuters reports.
Chao, the wife of Republican Senator Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), resigned from her position on January 7, less than two weeks before President Biden’s inauguration.
The allegations claimed that Chao was using her position as Transportation Secretary to promote her family’s shipping business and to further her business ties in China, according to The New York Times.
The report included numerous examples of how Chao allegedly misused her position. Reuters outlined a number of the reports allegations:
- Chao asked political appointees to contact Homeland Security for a foreign exchange student who was a recipient of Chao family philanthropy.
- Chao asked staff to research and purchase personal items for her using her personal credit card.
- Chao planned to bring several family members on an official trip to China in 2017, which was later cancelled.
- Department of Transportation staff provided media and public affairs support to Chao’s father. Staff were often tasked with running personal errands for Chao and her father.
Republicans at the time believed the report cleared Chao, according to Reuters. However many other leaders were disappointed the DOJ did not pursue an investigation under the Trump administration.
Democratic Congressman and House Transportation and Infrastructure chairman Peter DeFazio, told Reuters he was “disappointed that the Department of Justice declined to further pursue the matters that the IG’s office substantiated in its investigation.” DeFazio had pushed for an investigation in 2019.
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