BIE Employees Misused Government Charge Cards

August 3, 2020

17-0209

Investigation

The OIG investigated allegations that Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Facilities employees Simon Nunez, David Parrish, and Leland Martinez and San Felipe School employees Ruby Montoya and Nancy Nunez made personal purchases on their assigned Government charge cards. Parrish and Martinez admitted to purchasing personal items, including sheds, tankless water heaters, computers, and tools, with their Government purchase charge cards between August 2013 and December 2016. Simon Nunez, a BIE Facilities Manager, directed the purchases and kept some of the stolen property. Nunez purchased three computers, two of which she converted for personal use and one of which she gave to Montoya to be converted to personal use. Montoya authorized Nunez to purchase one computer, which Montoya converted to personal use. Simon Nunez pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to nine counts of theft, conspiracy, and false statements. He was sentenced to 6 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release and was ordered to pay $6,664.52 in restitution, a $900 special assessment, and a $5,000 fine. Simon Nunez left Federal service on December 23, 2016. Parrish pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to four counts of conspiracy and theft. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay $2,035.51 in restitution, a $400 special assessment, and a $2,500 fine. Parrish left Federal service on December 23, 2016. Martinez pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to five counts of conspiracy and theft. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation and was ordered to pay $2,895 in restitution, a $500 special assessment, and a $500 fine. Martinez left Federal service on November 6, 2019. Montoya pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to unlawful conversion of government property and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine. Montoya left Federal service on February 10, 2017. Nancy Nunez pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to three counts of unlawful conversion of government property and was sentenced to 24 months of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $8,879 and a special assessment of $300. Nancy Nunez left Federal service on April 14, 2017.

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