Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long said Monday that his attention remains on hurricane response, as the Wall Street Journal reported that an investigation involving him has been referred to federal prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges should be pursued.
“I am not focused on this investigation,” Long said in a statement. “I am fully focused on those impacted by Hurricane Florence.”
The Journal, citing people familiar with the probe, say two other federal employees are also involved in the case.
A senior administration official had confirmed to CNN on Thursday that there is an ongoing Department of Homeland Security inspector general investigation that includes Long. The investigation includes, but may not be limited to, Long using government vehicles on the taxpayers’ dime for his frequent commutes between his home in North Carolina and FEMA headquarters in Washington.
Long has said he will “fully cooperate” in the investigation into his alleged misuse of government resources for travel, an issue that has roiled several former Trump Cabinet secretaries.
According to Politico, which first reportedon the investigation Thursday, one of the government vehicles Long used, a black Suburban, was involved in a wreck, which prompted the inspector general to look into the matter.
The inspector general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said it could not confirm or deny investigations.
Long said he would be meeting on Tuesday with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and “discussing with him how the federal government can best help him meet his response and recovery needs.”
