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Washington -
A federal panel is looking into Republican allegations of a cover-up involving the offshore oil moratorium and the Interior Department's inspector general, Mary Kendall.
Three Republican senators, including Louisiana's David Vitter, called for the investigation.
Two years ago, the Interior Department erroneously claimed a team of scientists backed the moratorium. Inspector General Kendall found that was an honest mistake.
The senators now say Kendall attended meetings where the scientific reports had been discussed.
A federal panel that investigates allegations of wrongdoing by inspectors general took up the complaint Thursday.
Kendall denies any conflict. She says she did not actively participate in decisions about the moratorium.