Interior Official Responsible For Delaying Tribal Relief Funds Married To Lobbyist Applying for COVID Funds

A top Interior Department official charged with overseeing the disbursement of direct emergency relief to tribes failed to disclose that she is married to a lobbyist for an Alaska Native Corporation that is asking for relief funding, Western Values Project discovered. Kevin Sweeney, the husband of Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney, is a registered lobbyist for Bristol Bay Native Corporation, which was among the first companies to apply for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding intended for tribal governments.

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Grijalva and Subcommittee Chairs sent a letter to Interior’s internal watchdog requesting an investigation into Sweeney’s activities related to Tribal COVID-19 relief funds on May 1st.

https://westernvaluesproject.org/interior-official-responsible-for-delaying-tribal-relief-funds-married-to-lobbyist-applying-for-covid-funds/