WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A former U.S. deputy secretary of the Interior has been notified by federal prosecutors in Washington that he is a target in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe.
Sources familiar with the investigation said J. Steven Griles was told possible charges against him in the investigation of Abramoff's lobbying activities include alleged false statements made to the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee in 2005 about job discussions initiated by Abramoff while Griles was serving as deputy secretary of the Interior, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
Prosecutors from the Justice Department reportedly discussed the charges with Griles Friday. The probe has also targeted donations made by an environmental advocacy group run by Italia Federici, who had been involved socially with Griles, to Abramoff's Indian tribal clients.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee released e-mail messages last year that revealed Griles met with Abramoff or Federici multiple times. The messages revealed that Federici was acting as a go-between for Abramoff and Griles.
