FWS Manager Violated Federal Regulations and FWS Policies
The OIG investigated allegations that a refuge manager with the U.S.
Unfounded Allegations that Tribe Illegally Removed Funds from BIE-Funded School
The OIG investigated allegations that a Tribe wrongfully took funds from a tribally-operated boarding school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). We also investigated whether findings and questioned costs identified in an audit of the school rose to the level of criminal misconduct.
We found no evidence to indicate the Tribe wrongfully took school funds. In addition, though the BIE has issued two bills of collection to recuperate some of the questioned costs identified in the audit, we did not identify criminal misconduct associated with those findings.
Substantiated Violations of the Buy Indian Act
The OIG investigated allegations that two propane delivery contractors, one of which was American Indian-owned, conspired to improperly obtain U.S. Government contracts that are restricted to Indian economic enterprises under the provisions of the Buy Indian Act. Specifically, we investigated to determine if the Indian-owned company subcontracted 100 percent of contract performance to the non-Indian-owned company.
We found that the Indian-owned company was awarded approximately 17 contracts, with a combined value of about $350,000, under the Buy Indian Act.
Oil and Gas Production Company Underpaid Royalties Owed to the Government
The OIG investigated allegations that Smith & Marrs, Inc., an oil and gas production company, failed to report mineral production and sales from Federal leases located in New Mexico, which resulted in a loss of royalties owed to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). We conducted the investigation jointly with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Special Investigations Group.
We found that Smith & Marrs, Inc., failed to properly report oil and gas production and sales from Federal leases, which resulted in an underpayment of royalties and late payment interest.
Progress Made by the U.S. Department of the Interior in Implementing Government Charge Card Recommendations, Fiscal Year 2018
We are required to conduct periodic risk assessments of U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) charge card programs to analyze the risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Grants Awarded to the State of Indiana, Department of Natural Resources, From July 1, 2015, Through June 30, 2017
We audited the costs claimed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 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 $62.7 million on 68 grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017.
USGS Manager Admitted To Inappropriate Comments to Subordinate
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.
Former NPS Contract Specialist Violated Ethics Regulations
The OIG investigated allegations that a former National Park Service (NPS) contract specialist steered three contracts to a vendor because of a personal relationship.
We found that the contract specialist had a personal relationship with the vendor’s employees and attempted to influence contract awards by inappropriately advocating for the vendor, which violated Federal ethics regulations. We found, however, that the contract specialist ultimately had no influence over awarding contracts to the vendor and that the contracts were awarded properly.
Alleged Trespass into Federal Minerals Unsubstantiated
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.