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 September 29th, 2017, Campaign for Accountability called on the Office of Special Counsel and the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Interior to investigate whether Secretary Ryan Zinke violated conflict of interest laws and the Hatch Act by speaking before the National Hockey League team the Vegas Golden Knights as part of his official duties.

"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."