Investigative Reports

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

An Amtrak Foreman/Trackman in Los Angeles, California, was terminated from employment on February 25, 2019, following the employee’s administrative hearing for violating company policies. Our investigation found that the Foreman/Trackman stole paper products from the locker room supply cabinet and then lied about it during his interview with our agents.

A former ticket agent who was assigned to Los Angeles Union Station pleaded guilty to felony charges for theft of funds in U.S. District Court on February 25, 2019. Our investigation determined that the former ticket agent would wait until train conductors electronically scanned passenger tickets and would then reset the ticket status as if it had not been scanned at all. This process of resetting the ticket status allowed the tickets to be refunded or exchanged. Subsequently, the former ticket agent processed the reset tickets for cash refunds, taking and keeping the money from her cash drawer.As part of her plea agreement, the former ticket agent was selected for the Conviction and Sentence Alternatives program of the Central District of California. She will be required to pay $3,616 in restitution, $700 for a special assessment, and successfully complete the year-long program prior to her sentencing.As the result of our investigation into this scheme, five other ticket agents resigned prior to their administrative hearings.

The OIG investigated allegations that an oil and gas production company drilled two wells in Noble County, OK and trespassed into acquired Federal lands. Further, the company allegedly began producing oil and gas without a properly executed mineral lease, which may have resulted in the loss of public resources and revenues.We found the land parcels in question were not acquired Federal lands, therefore, the company did not trespass into minerals owned by the Federal Government as alleged.

The OIG investigated allegations that a United States Geological Survey (USGS) manager made unwelcome and inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to a female subordinate.We found that the USGS manager provided inconsistent statements and demonstrated a lack of candor during interviews, but ultimately admitted to making inappropriate sexual comments to the female subordinate. We also found that the manager had been counseled by a former supervisor in 2013 for allegedly making similar comments to other employees and, consequently, had been required to take Equal Employment Opportunity training; the manager had also been counseled by a current supervisor in 2016 for the same reason.