Investigation of a U.S. Geological Survey Employee for a Prohibited Personal Interest in a Mine

OIG investigated a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research chemist after receiving an allegation that he had signed a lease with a gas company for mining interests on his personal property, which violated a regulation restricting USGS employees from direct or indirect financial interests in private mining activities. Our investigation confirmed that there was a gas lease and that the employee had failed to disclose it.