We investigated an allegation that Jamie K. Reaser, Executive Director, National Invasive Species Council (NISC) Secretariat, may have violated Federal ethics and conflict of interest regulations by directing the award of a sole-source contract to an individual with whom she resided and may have had a personal and/or financial relationship. We found that in May 2017, Reaser violated Federal regulations when she directed the award of a $20,000 sole-source contract to her friend, with whom she routinely lived during the week rentfree, for writing a review article.

The OIG investigated multiple allegations of improper hiring, noncompetitive promotions, nepotism, favoritism, and other improper personnel practices by three Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) senior officials. We found that one of the officials violated Federal regulations when he pursued a procurement action to hire an employee with whom he had a prior relationship. We also found that he directed a change to the minimum qualification language in a job solicitation to aid the same employee’s selection for Federal employment.

This report details the KPMG LLP auditors' report of the U.S. Department of the Interior's closing package financial statements for fiscal year 2018. In its audit of the Department, KPMG reported: • The closing package financial statements were fairly presented, in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and • No material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting or noncompliance with laws and other matters.

We audited the costs claimed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. The audit included claims totaling approximately $50.2 million on five grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017.

In this evaluation, we found that the National Park Service (NPS) did not use philanthropic partner donations in compliance with policies, regulations, and laws. Philanthropic partners are organizations that assist parks by providing services and financial support. The NPS is authorized to work with philanthropic partners to help further the NPS’ mission. Partners provide financial support to parks in two ways: the partner either donates the funds directly to the park, for the park to manage, or maintains the funds in an account and spends them at the park’s request.