Trying to sabotage the inquiry!

This central province politico who no longer holds high office is now reduced to a non-entity, but he continues to issue instructions to his onetime white-collar subordinates, they say.  

A new authority appointed to this province has instituted an inquiry to probe the irregularities and corrupt practices alleged to have taken place when the former chief was ruling the roost and the latter is said to be contriving to sabotage the ongoing investigations with the support of a handful of his onetime white-collar subordinates, they say.   
Meanwhile, the new authority has already sought approval from those above him to remove the former chief’s loyalists who are trying to impede the investigations.