(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 16 gen - White House adviser Kevin Hassett said he expected there would be "nothing to see" regarding the criminal investigation launched by the Department of Justice into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

"The bottom line is, I expect, you know, Jay is a good man - I expect that there's nothing to see here, that the cost overruns are related to things like asbestos, as he says," Hassett said in an interview with Fox Business Network.

"But I sure wish they had been more transparent," he added.

Unease has grown across markets over the criminal investigation launched into Powell relating to alleged cost overruns on renovation work at the US central bank's headquarters.

Critics say the move could undermine the central bank's autonomy.

Hassett, the director of the National Economic Council, is a candidate to replace Powell when his mandate expires in May.

Hassett told Fox News the "independence of the Fed is essential for economy stability", adding he "would pledge Fed.

independence" if appointed to the position.

(RADIOCOR) 16-01-26 19:31:17 (0584) 5 NNNN