Investigative Reports

The OIG investigated allegations that a subcontractor on a National Park Service (NPS) contract submitted a falsified commissioning report on a multi-million-dollar construction contract. The complaint alleged the subcontractor had not performed the work as claimed and that the signature on the final commissioning report had been forged.We found no evidence that the subcontractor falsified the commissioning documents. We did find that the final report included the signature of an employee who had departed the company, but that appeared to be a clerical oversight rather than a forgery.

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) official might have improperly communicated with contractors. The complaint also alleged that the official may have improperly influenced modifications to contracts, and that he might have arranged for an organization to receive a subcontract.We found that the official met with contractors, but that the discussions in these meetings focused only on operations related to the offshore oil and gas industry. We did not find any laws or policies that prohibit these types of meetings. In addition, we found no evidence that the official discussed contracts with the organizations involved or that he influenced the award of any contract modifications or subcontracts.

The OIG investigated whether a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) special agent was driving a rental vehicle in compliance with U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) policy when he was involved in a traffic accident that resulted in the death of two pedestrians. The DOI policy states that motor vehicle operators are responsible for operating motor vehicles in a safe and prudent manner and exercising a reasonable degree of care, skill, and judgment in the performance of their duties.Our investigation found no evidence that the special agent violated DOI policy while operating the rental vehicle. The local police department investigated the accident and no charges were filed.This is a summary of an investigative report we issued to the BLM Director.

The OIG investigated allegations that a gas producer operating in New Mexico failed to properly submit royalty reports and remit royalty payments owed to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR).We determined the producer failed to properly file ONRR-Form 2014s (Reports of Sales and Royalty Remittance) and pay royalties for gas produced from Federal leases located in New Mexico. Working closely with ONRR experts, we determined that the unpaid royalties totaled more than $51,000 plus late payment interest.We consulted with both ONRR and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. The producer cooperated with the investigation and ONRR officials determined they would pursue the unpaid royalties through their administrative process.

The OIG investigated whether a former superintendent of the National Park Service (NPS) improperly applied for a commercial use authorization (CUA) permit in 2015 to give tours at a park that he previously managed. The former park superintendent also allegedly directed that a trail be relocated at the park in 2002, which affected the financial interest of the tour company with which his family member was reportedly affiliated at the time. Years later, he purchased the tour company.We did not find evidence that the former superintendent violated post-employment restrictions when he applied for a CUA at the park after retirement. We did not investigate whether he attempted to manipulate the alignment of the trails to benefit the tour company or his family member. The timing of the alleged trail relocation exceeded the 5-year statute of limitations on criminal conflict of interest laws and the official was no longer employed with the Federal Government.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Administrative Investigations Division investigated an allegation that an employee within the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Ethics in Health Care, Washington, DC, used personal email to conduct VA business for an extended period in disregard of federal law. In addition, the complainant alleged that the employee espoused the view that the government should pay for the employee’s travel home to the Northeast, even though the employee’s duty station was Washington, DC. The OIG did not substantiate the allegations, and the matter was deemed resolved with no recommendations for further action.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) Administrative Investigations Division investigated an allegation that an employee in the Office of Information Security, Office of Information and Technology steered the award of two contracts (one for $43 million and a second for $47 million) to a company because the vendor’s Chief of Technology Officer and the employee had a prior business relationship from a previous VA contract. The OIG did not substantiate the allegations and the matter was deemed resolved with no recommendations for further action.

DOJ News Release

Volume 20 of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General's Investigations Newsletter.

The OIG investigated conflict of interest allegations against a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Supervisor. The complaint alleged that the Supervisor favored a family member in official matters involving drilling permits for the family member’s employer, an oil and gas company, and his family’s property.Our investigation showed the allegations were unfounded. We determined that the Supervisor processed Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) in accordance with policy and without bias. We also found no evidence that the Supervisor influenced official matters involving his family’s property. Finally, we learned that BLM supervisors and department ethics officials were aware of the Supervisor’s familial relationships and approved his continued involvement with the APDs.This is a summary of an investigative report that we provided to the BLM Director.

An Amtrak Sheetmetal Technician in Los Angeles, California, was terminated from employment on March 15, 2019, following an administrative hearing for violating company policy. Our investigation found that the employee intentionally sabotaged a wheel truing machine in the Los Angeles yard in order to earn overtime compensation for its repair.

The OIG investigated complaints that Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) Superintendent Christine Lehnertz, proposed a disciplinary action against a GRCA senior official for an improper purpose; created a hostile work environment; and engaged in bullying and retaliatory behavior against senior leaders, particularly male leaders, at the GRCA. The complainant also alleged that Lehnertz authorized unnecessary renovations to a park housing unit resulting in a waste of almost $180,000.We found that Lehnertz’ proposal of disciplinary action for the senior official was supported by the evidence. The senior official failed to complete several required tasks relating to a high-priority park initiative and, despite Lehnertz’ multiple requests to the official over several days to provide specific performance management information to her, the official elected not to do so and misrepresented the status of the information to Lehnertz. We found no evidence that Lehnertz created a hostile work environment at the GRCA or that she authorized unnecessary renovations to a park residence.We provided this report to the National Park Service Deputy Director Exercising the Authority of Director.

DOJ News Release