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Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift said in an email Thursday that multiple news stories reporting Tufts was slated to be nominated to take over the inspector general's office at Interior are not true.

\"This is a classic example of the media jumping to conclusions and reporting before all facts are known,\" Swift said in the email.

\"Ms. Tufts was referred to the Department by the White House as a potential candidate for a position in the Inspector General’s office. At the end of the day, she was not offered a job at Interior,\" Swift said. The exact timing wasn't clear, though, and Swift did not immediately respond to a request for details.

\"PHOTO:
J.David Ake/AP, FILE
PHOTO: The Department of Interior headquarters building is pictured as the Magnolia trees blossom in Washington, Mar. 13, 2016.
>

The White House, which nominates inspectors general and can reassign senior officials, has not responded to questions.

A spokeswoman from the Interior inspector general's office said they have not received any information about a possible staffing change and Swift said deputy inspector general Mary Kendall is still in her job.

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