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Unfounded Allegations that Tribe Illegally Removed Funds from BIE-Funded School

Report Number
17-0537

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.

Investigation
Bureau of Indian Affairs

United States

Substantiated Violations of the Buy Indian Act

Report Number
18-0162

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.

Investigation
Bureau of Indian Affairs

United States

Oil and Gas Production Company Underpaid Royalties Owed to the Government

Report Number
17-0069

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.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management
Office of Natural Resources Revenue

, CO, United States

USGS Manager Admitted To Inappropriate Comments to Subordinate

Report Number
18-1069

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.

Investigation
U.S. Geological Survey

United States

Former NPS Contract Specialist Violated Ethics Regulations

Report Number
16-0895

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.

Investigation
National Park Service

, CO, United States

Alleged Trespass into Federal Minerals Unsubstantiated

Report Number
19-0093

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.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management

, OK, United States

Unsubstantiated Conflict of Interest Allegations Against a BLM Employee

Report Number
18-0522

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.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management

BLM Special Agent Did Not Violate DOI Motor Vehicle Policy

Report Number
18-1091

The OIG investigated whether a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) special agent was driving a rental vehicle in compliance with U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) policy when he was involved in a traffic accident that resulted in the death of two pedestrians.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management

BSEE Official Did Not Improperly Communicate With Contractors

Report Number
19-0085

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) official might have improperly communicated with contractors. The complaint also alleged that the official may have improperly influenced modifications to contracts, and that he might have arranged for an organization to receive a subcontract. We found that the official met with contractors, but that the discussions in these meetings focused only on operations related to the offshore oil and gas industry. We did not find any laws or policies that prohibit these types of meetings.

Investigation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
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