Federal Reports

In a joint investigation with the U.S. Department of Education OIG, we investigated allegations of suspected bank fraud and identity theft after discovering evidence that Sharon Hall obtained fraudulent student loans while employed as a surface mine specialist for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) in London, KY.We found that Hall committed bank fraud and identity theft when she obtained nine student loans totaling more than $93,000 in the names of relatives using false representations and pretenses. She subsequently retired from the OSMRE.On January 12, 2018, the Federal District Court in the Eastern District of Kentucky convicted Hall of 11 counts of 18 U.S.C. § 1344 (Bank Fraud) and 1 count of 18 U.S.C. § 1028 (Aggravated Identity Theft). She was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $128,273.54 in restitution.This is a summary of an investigative report we issued to the OSMRE Deputy Director.

The OIG investigated allegations that Foster Construction of South Florida, Inc., a National Park Service (NPS) prime contractor, did not fully compensate its subcontractor for construction services on two projects at the Virgin Islands National Park.We found that Adrian Foster, the owner of Foster Construction, submitted false payment applications to the NPS on two construction contracts when she certified that Foster Construction had paid the subcontractor all monies due for work completed under the contracts when it had not.Foster pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands for violating 18 U.S.C. § 1001, “False Statements,” and was subsequently sentenced to 22 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $135,507. Foster and Foster Construction were also debarred from participation in Federal procurement and nonprocurement programs for approximately 3 years.This is a summary of a report we issued to the NPS Deputy Director Exercising the Authority of Director.

Improvements Needed for the Unapplied Cash Process at the Railroad Retirement Board

This project was initiated in response to a request for a review of political appointees at the Department to ensure that these officials are following the spirit and letter of all Federal laws and regulations, as well as Departmental policies, related to email use. The OIG was requested to determined the following: (1) whether the Secretary of Education or other senior political officials have used personal email accounts to conduct government business; (2) whether all emails related to government activities or public policy are being properly preserved as public records; (3) whether all emails related to government activities or public policy are being reviewed in response to Freedom of Information Act requests; and (4) if there are other irregularities in the email or communications activities of senior political appointees that could violate Federal statutes.

Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act Compliance Report for Fiscal Year 2018