Investigation of BLM Payment for Products Not Delivered

We initiated this investigation based on allegations from a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) official who told us BLM paid a vendor $20,720 to deliver eight backup power supply units, but only one of these units was delivered.

 

Our investigation substantiated the allegations. BLM generally pays vendors only after receiving a product or service, but in this instance they mistakenly paid the vendor the full amount after receiving only one of the eight backup power supply units ordered. Subsequent efforts by BLM to contact the vendor to collect the other seven units or get a refund were unsuccessful.

 

We located the vendor at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, where he was being held on fraud charges not related to this investigation. He declined our request to be interviewed.