(CNN) A Pentagon inspector general report examining whether acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan violated his ethics agreement is expected to be made public by the end of next week, according to a defense official familiar with the matter.

If Shanahan is cleared of the allegations, President Donald Trump may decide to move ahead and send his nomination to the Senate to become the permanent defense chief.

So far, there are no indications that the White House is considering candidates other than Shanahan. Officials close to the acting secretary say he strongly believes he will be nominated by the White House.

The investigation was launched to determine whether Shanahan violated ethics rules by promoting products made by his former employer, Boeing, while serving at the Pentagon. Shanahan has publicly told Congress he welcomes the investigation.

Shanahan, who worked at Boeing for more than 30 years prior to taking a job at the Pentagon, has faced accusations of being overly warm toward the company and claims that he "disparaged the company's competitors to his subordinates" from a federal watchdog called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.

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