OIG investigated information we received from a nonprofit organization that a National Park Service (NPS) employee requested an honorarium to speak to the organization. Specifically, we were informed that the nonprofit organization emailed the Government email account of an NPS employee and invited him to speak in his official capacity. Using his personal email account, the employee responded on letterhead reflecting a personal business and requested a $1,000 honorarium to speak. The nonprofit refused to pay the honorarium, rescinded the invitation, and reported their concerns to us.
Our investigation found that the employee misused his official position and received payments in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 209, Salary of Government Officials and Employees Payable Only by the United States, and ethical standards outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations. Between 2011 and 2016, the employee received check payments totaling $3,115 from non-Federal entities for six speaking engagements that were directly related to his NPS position. He also accepted a check and travel arrangements from a prohibited source totaling $1,007.91 to attend an awards gala. Additionally, we found two additional instances when he solicited payments from non-Federal entities to speak but did not ultimately receive the payments or attend the events.
Based on a review of the employee’s time and attendance records, we also found one instance where he told us that he had claimed annual leave during a speaking engagement, but he was paid for regular hours worked.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina declined prosecution.