Allegation of Travel Fraud by NPS Northeast Regional Director

We investigated allegations that Michael A. Caldwell, Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service (NPS), had taken personal vacations under the guise of official Government travel and that he continued to live in NPS housing at Valley Forge National Historic Park (VAFO) after he was promoted from VAFO superintendent and reassigned to the NPS regional office in Philadelphia, PA. 

 

While Caldwell was authorized by NPS to continue living at VAFO, he admitted that between 2011 and 2015 he violated multiple Federal travel regulations on at least eight official trips. The total cost for these trips was $17,481, and Caldwell’s admissions about the trips call into question whether they actually benefited the Government. We also found that Caldwell improperly accepted a gift, in the form of free vacation housing, from a subordinate.

 

We provided this report to NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis for review and action.