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Brought to you by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency
Investigative Reports
Date Issued
Agency Reviewed / Investigated
Report Title
Type
Location
Department of the Interior
Summary: Former NPS Superintendent Violated Ethics Rules on Gifts and Use of Government Property
An Amtrak extra board train attendant based in Seattle, Washington, was terminated from employment on February 23, 2026, following his administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the former employee violated company policies by misrepresenting his role at the company to two individuals, inappropriately seeking their personal identifying information, and sending internal company information to outside parties. The former employee is not eligible for rehire.
An Amtrak machinist based in Beech Grove, Indiana, was terminated from employment on February 23, 2026, following an administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the former employee violated company policy by failing to report his felony conviction within 48 hours as required by the company’s Disclosure of Criminal Convictions policy. The former employee was convicted for pointing a firearm at another person. He is not eligible for rehire.
An Amtrak assignment clerk based in Chicago, Illinois, was terminated from employment on February 11, 2026, following an administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the former employee violated company policy by failing to report his conviction for the fraudulent receipt of pandemic related funds. The former employee is not eligible for rehire.
A high-speed rail technician based in New York City resigned from his position on February 10, 2026, prior to his administrative hearing. We found that the former employee violated company policies by working a second full-time job at a hospital while he was on company time. The former employee is not eligible for rehire.
Ajmal Atherton, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced on January 28, 2026, in Kings Supreme Criminal Court, to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $35,250 in restitution. Our investigation found that Atherton applied for and received over $35,000 in fraudulent New York State unemployment benefits. This investigation was initiated after receiving information alleging that Atherton and a former Amtrak employee were involved in identity theft and other crimes. No charges were filed against the former Amtrak employee.
Atherton previously pleaded guilty on October 29, 2025, to grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing.
Octavia Murphy, a resident of Bourbonnais, Illinois, pleaded guilty on January 27, 2026, in U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, to one count conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts wire fraud. In the same investigation, Regina Murphy, a resident of Kankakee, Illinois, pleaded guilty on December 17, 2025, in U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, to one count conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count wire fraud.
Our investigation found that Octavia and Regina Murphy, along with 12 alleged codefendants, submitted false information to the Small Business Administration and its participating lenders to receive Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and PPP loan forgiveness. Octavia Murphy orchestrated a scheme whereby she submitted false applications containing material misstatements and fictitious documentation to make claims for pandemic relief programs on behalf of herself and the other co-conspirators, for which she was paid kickbacks. Regina Murphy and numerous co-conspirators voluntarily provided Octavia Murphy with their personally identifiable information and their bank routing transit and account numbers. As a result of the scheme, Octavia Murphy, Regina Murphy and the other codefendants received $93,000 in EIDL advances and $74,428 in PPP loans to which they were not entitled.
Judicial proceedings for the codefendants, including five Amtrak employees, are ongoing.
AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigated allegations that the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) Director of Community Action Partnership of North Alabama (CAPNA) had not performed the duties of the position since 2019, contrary to representations made to AmeriCorps in grant documents.
An Amtrak train attendant based in Chicago, Illinois, was issued a letter of reprimand on January 26, 2026, following an administrative hearing. The employee was issued a final disciplinary action which may be used for future progressive discipline for 36 months from the date of issuance. Our investigation found that the employee violated company policy by failing to report his conviction for the fraudulent receipt of pandemic related funds.
