Patrick Shanahan: The Pentagon leader's links with Boeing were examined

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EPA

The Pentagon has opened an investigation into US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, accused of favoritism towards his former employer, Boeing.

The Inspector General of the Department of Defense will review the case following a complaint from a monitoring group.

Mr. Shanahan is accused of frequently hiring Boeing at meetings on government contracts and acquisitions.

Mr. Shanahan, who denies wrongdoing, spent 30 years at Boeing.

He rose through the ranks to become a senior executive at the world's largest planner.

Last week, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint with the Pentagon's Inspector General about Mr. Shanahan.

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The complaint indicated that he appeared to violate the ethical rules by "promoting Boeing in the course of his official duties … and denigrating the company's competitors to his subordinates".

Dwrena Allen, spokeswoman for the Inspector General, said Wednesday in a statement: "The Office of the Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense has decided to investigate complaints that the secretary Patrick Shanahan, would have taken steps to promote his former employer, Boeing, and disparage his competitors. "

Mr Shanahan said last week during a hearing before the Armed Forces Committee of the Senate that he would support an investigation by the Inspector General.

Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren, a panel member, said she had directed calls for the investigation.

She tweeted on Wednesday: "Government officials should work for the people – not for the big defense contractors."

The investigation casts a shadow over Shanahan as the White House decides to formally appoint him to a vacant Secretary of Defense position from Jim Mattis, who resigned in December.

Boeing is already under pressure after the deadly crash of one of its 737 Max 8 jet planes in Ethiopia last week.

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The FBI reportedly participated in the investigation into the safety issues associated with the Boeing airliner.

Another passenger plane crashed in Indonesia last October, killing everyone on board as well.

According to the Seattle Times, the FBI is investigating the process that led to the aircraft's safety certification.

The US Department of Justice declined to comment on claims that it would have reviewed Boeing's oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration.