Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is under fire following revelations about inaccuracies in her financial disclosures and stock ownership. Senator John Barrasso, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee, has called for an inspector general investigation into Granholm's financial dealings, citing a pattern of noncompliance and ethical breaches.

The controversy stems from Granholm's admission that she owned individual stocks despite previous testimony and disclosures indicating otherwise. In an April hearing, Granholm told Senator Josh Hawley she did not own individual stocks. However, in a subsequent letter to the committee, she acknowledged owning shares in six companies, in addition to her husband's holdings in Ford Motor Company. These stocks were sold in May, but the delayed disclosure and Granholm's previous statements have raised concerns.

Barrasso's letter to the DOE Inspector General highlighted Granholm's repeated failure to comply with financial regulations, emphasizing the need for accountability and the preservation of public trust. He cited several instances, including the promotion of Ford projects while the Secretary held Ford stock, the retention of shares in electric vehicle maker Proterra amidst White House promotion of the company, violations of the Hatch Act, and nine violations of the STOCK Act due to late disclosure of stock sales totaling $240,000. Senator Barrasso stated that Granholm's actions have eroded public trust in both her and the Department of Energy.

Senator Hawley has also launched a separate inquiry, demanding an explanation for the delayed notification of the disclosure error and the four-week period it took Granholm to divest from the six companies. He also requested a comprehensive list of Granholm's stock transactions over the past decade to assess potential conflicts of interest. Hawley's letter pointedly questioned Granholm's repeated assertions to the committee that she did not own individual stocks, contrasting them with the later revelation of her holdings.

The Department of Energy, through its director of public affairs, David Mayorga, defended Granholm, stating her commitment to ethical conduct and transparency. Mayorga emphasized that Granholm divested from conflicting assets upon confirmation and even sold assets she was not legally obligated to divest. However, these assurances have done little to quell the growing calls for greater scrutiny of Granholm's financial dealings.