OST Appraiser Sanctioned for Conflict of Interest

OIG substantiated allegations that an appraiser with the Office of Special Trustee (OST) wrongfully represented his own mineral development company in an effort to influence a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) environmental impact statement and management plan for the Pompeys Pillar National Monument in Montana. The appraiser did not obtain approval from the OST Ethics Office to own and operate his mineral development company, nor did he disclose his involvement with the company on his annual financial disclosures. 

 

This is a summary of an investigative report that was issued to OST, which suspended the employee without pay for 14 days.