The OIG initiated an investigation after receiving an allegation that a park superintendent approved the decision to excess a National Park Service (NPS) vehicle, and then later purchased the same vehicle through a General Service Administration (GSA) public auction. The complainant alleged that the superintendent bid from an advantageous position because of his past association with the vehicle.
Our investigation found that the superintendent was involved in several discussions related to excessing the vehicle and subsequently was the approving official on the report of survey that recommended the vehicle be turned in and put up for auction. The superintendent subsequently purchased the vehicle as the winning bidder at a public auction administered by GSA.
Given his personal knowledge and history with the vehicle, which included personally driving the vehicle, we determined that the superintendent violated NPS policy, which prohibits certain employees from purchasing Government property. We also found that the superintendent’s purchase of the vehicle violated Federal ethics regulations by creating the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The superintendent reported being unaware of the policy and regulatory prohibitions.