Read CfA Legal Counsel Katie O'Connor's op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman

"Last month, a government watchdog group called on Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson to investigate Mouton for violations of state ethics violations. The organization, Campaign for Accountability, called the fine a slap on the wrist for a 'flagrant violation of state law.'"

A watchdog group, the Campaign for Accountability, was among those who asked Interior's IG to investigate. The group said Zinke's Vegas speech "seems to be a special favor provided to a major political supporter of both Sec. Zinke and the president at taxpayer expense."

"On Thursday, a group called Campaign for Accountability asked Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson to investigate Mouton to see whether he should face criminal prosecution."

"A national watchdog group has filed a pair of legal complaints against the Heidi Group, an anti-abortion organization that Texas hired to connect low-income women to reproductive health care."