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Former OSMRE Employee Convicted of Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Report Number
14-0094

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.

Investigation
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

London, KY, United States

NPS Prime Contractor in the U.S. Virgin Islands Pleaded Guilty to False Statements

Report Number
16-0233

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.

Investigation
National Park Service

, VI, United States

Vendor Sentenced After Illegally Bidding on Government Contracts

Report Number
16-0716

The OIG investigated allegations that contractor George Patton, after being debarred from Government contracting by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), created several companies through family members and another associate and improperly obtained U.S. Government contracts from 2013 to 2015.

Investigation
Other

United States

The NPS Needs To Improve Management of Commercial Cellular Facilities’ Right-of-Way Permits and Revenues

Report Number
2018-WR-011

We evaluated the National Park Service’s (NPS’) right-of-way (ROW) permitting process and how revenues for commercial cellular facilities are collected and accounted for. We found that the NPS was not properly collecting and accounting for revenues for commercial ROW permits, including the collection of land use fees and cost recovery.

Inspection / Evaluation
National Park Service

United States

BLM Law Enforcement Supervisor Violated Use of Government Property Policy

Report Number
18-1154

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement and Security supervisor misused U.S. Government equipment and employee time in support of his personal business. It was also alleged that the supervisor made a wasteful purchase of a $3,250 mountain bike, misused a Government-owned vehicle and other Government-owned equipment for personal use, and inappropriately assigned himself to fire assignments where he earned overtime. We determined that the supervisor violated U.S.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management

United States

FWS Alleged Scientific Integrity Violation and Retaliation

Report Number
18-0482

The OIG investigated allegations that a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) assistant hatchery manager directed an FWS biologist to validate an inaccurate cause of death for an endangered fish species in a mortality report to cover up alleged neglect at an FWS fishery. It was also alleged that a culture of censorship existed within that FWS region’s management. We investigated this matter jointly with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) scientific integrity coordinators, Office of Quality and Science Integrity, U.S.

Investigation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

United States

Oil and Gas Company Committed Mineral Trespass Violations

The OIG investigated SRC Energy’s self-reported disclosure that it drilled wells through a railroad right-of-way without obtaining a Federal lease or permit to drill. SRC, an oil and gas company based in Colorado, reported its activities to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which referred the matter to our office for investigation. We determined that in 2014, SRC committed mineral trespass violations when it knowingly drilled two horizontal wells in Colorado and produced Federal minerals without a properly executed mineral lease, resulting in a loss of public revenue.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management

United States

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Grants Awarded to the State of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources, From July 1, 2015, Through June 30, 2017

Report Number
2018-CR-012

We audited costs claimed by the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Department) under Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The audit included claims totaling approximately $50 million on 90 grants that were associated with the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017.

Audit
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

, IL, United States

USGS Staff Did not Immediately Inform Their Supervisors About NRC Violations

Report Number
19-0449

The OIG investigated an allegation that U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) senior leaders may not have been forthcoming to the USGS Director about their knowledge of violations identified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In 2018, the NRC issued the USGS a civil penalty for infractions identified during an inspection of a USGS test reactor facility.

Investigation
U.S. Geological Survey

United States

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