We audited costs claimed by the State of Louisiana, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Department), for grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. We audited claims totaling $69.2 million on 52 grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016.

The OIG investigated allegations that a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) official intimidated and verbally abused a subordinate employee and that the official twice directed the employee to provide false information—once about an FWS event and once about an FWS investigation.

We reviewed documentation provided to support the closure of a recommendation from a 2007 audit of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s use of cooperative agreements. Based on our review, we do not agree that the recommendation is resolved and implemented. We have requested that the Office of Financial Management reinstate the recommendation and take appropriate follow-up action for resolution.

We audited costs claimed by the State of Michigan, Department of Natural Resources (Department), under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. Our audit included claims totaling $91 million on 25 grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended September 30, 2014, and September 30, 2015. The audit also covered the Department’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and FWS guidelines, including those related to collecting and using hunting and fishing license revenues, and reporting program income.

The OIG investigated allegations that a former Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) manager influenced the award of a $21 million environmental consulting contract to a firm that employed him after he left the USBR. The allegations further stated that a USBR supervisory contract specialist had a conflict of interest with managing the contract process because of her romantic relationship with the USBR manager. We found no evidence that the manager personally or substantially participated in the contract or that he influenced the award while he was employed by the USBR.