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BIA Realty Specialist Allegedly Bribed Lessee in Exchange for Renewing Lease

Report Number
18-0701

The OIG investigated an allegation that a former Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) realty specialist solicited a $200 bribe from a longtime lessee of tribal land so the lessee could retain the lease. We could not prove or disprove the bribery allegation. The lessee provided us a transaction receipt for a $200 check he wrote to a local store for cash, which he said he then paid to the BIA employee in exchange for assistance with renewing the lease. The lessee, however, could not provide any further evidence to corroborate his claim.

Investigation
Bureau of Indian Affairs

United States

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s Flight Services Contract

Report Number
2018-EAU-034

We evaluated the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE’s) $316 million flight services contract in response to concerns regarding flight services in the Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR). We found that contracting for helicopter flight services is the best mechanism to accomplish BSEE’s offshore inspections in GOMR. Although BSEE acted to reduce costs related to its helicopter flight services contract, we identified issues that should be addressed to reduce safety risks to personnel and reduce the risk of waste or abuse related to the contract.

Inspection / Evaluation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

United States

Big Bend National Park Mismanaged More Than $250,000 in Equipment Purchases

Report Number
2019-ER-042

This report presents the results of our inspection of purchases made during fiscal years 2013 and 2015 at Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas following information we received that the park had purchased air conditioning units and shade shelters but never installed them. Our objective was to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding this reported information. We found that the park purchased 22 air conditioning units and 26 shade shelters that it never installed, totaling more than $250,000 that could have been put to better use.

Inspection / Evaluation
National Park Service

United States

Where’s the Money? DOI Use of CARES Act Funds, As of April 28, 2020

Report Number
2020-FIN-036

On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Among its provisions, the CARES Act provided the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) with $756 million to support the needs of DOI programs, bureaus, Indian Country, and the Insular Areas. This report presents the DOI’s progress as of April 28, 2020, in spending CARES Act appropriations.

Other
Pandemic
Departmentwide

Independent Auditors' Biennial Report on the Audit of Expenditures and Obligations Used by the Secretary of the Interior in the Administration of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2018

Report Number
2019-FIN-044

The DOI administers Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. The Secretary delegated administration of these Programs to the U.S.

Audit
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

United States

Coercion and Sexual Abuse by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Official in Oregon

Report Number
18-0977

The OIG investigated an allegation that Eric Rickerson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) State Supervisor, Lacey, WA, sexually assaulted an FWS employee while the two were at an FWS conference. The assaulted employee said that she, Rickerson, and a another male FWS employee shared a cabin with two bedrooms and a loft at the resort.

Investigation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

United States

Investigation of Alleged Ethics Violation by Senior DOI Employee

Report Number
19-0851

We investigated allegations that a senior political employee of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) violated a Federal ethics pledge by meeting with a former employer during the required 2-year recusal period following the senior employee’s resignation from that organization.

Investigation
Other

United States

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