Investigative Reports

The OIG investigated allegations that a National Park Service (NPS) Facility Manager stole NPS funds, abused his purchase card authority, misused a Government Owned Vehicle (GOV), and concealed criminal convictions to gain NPS employment.We confirmed the allegations. The employee spent approximately $2,297 on his Government purchase card to purchase items that he later pawned. We also confirmed that the employee leased roll-away dumpsters with Federal funds, partially to discard personal items. The employee also regularly used a GOV for personal errands. Finally, we found that prior to his employment, the employee falsified his application to the NPS by failing to disclose three criminal convictions.The employee pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor theft in county court, was sentenced to 1 day in jail, and was ordered to pay full restitution. He resigned from the NPS in lieu of termination.This is a summary of a report we issued to the NPS Deputy Director Exercising the Authority of Director.

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.

DOL-OIG bi-monthly Investigations Newsletter Volume XXI, for the period of February 1 - March 31, 2019.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) received allegations that a current VA employee and the employee’s spouse, a former (retired) VA employee, improperly released VA procurement information. There was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. The OIG determined that the complainant’s information was hearsay and there was no direct evidence. The OIG interviewed the complainant’s source and determined that the source’s information did not support the allegations raised by the complainant.

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 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 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.