BIA Employees Made Improper Purchases

OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) employee improperly used a BIA purchase card to purchase speakers, headphones, and electronic tablets.Prior to any significant involvement by our office, we learned that BIA had already investigated the matter and confirmed that two employees inappropriately purchased and gave to colleagues eight headphones and two wireless speakers, totaling $2,931.92. One of the employees also used his personal funds to improperly purchase five tablet computers at a discounted rate through a BIA contract. Both employees involved in the purchases left the Department.Our investigation also found two supervisors were responsible for approving the purchase card purchases. One supervisor received a letter of reprimand, and the other was removed from Federal service. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota declined prosecution of this matter.