The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) technician had a conflict of interest because she was responsible for inspecting an energy company that employed her brother. The complainant also alleged the technician discouraged other BLM technicians from issuing Incidents of Noncompliance (INC) to the same company.
Our investigation found no evidence the technician used her official position to benefit the energy company that employed her brother, nor did we substantiate that the she directed her BLM colleagues not to document INCs on the company. At the direction of BLM management and to address any potential conflicts, the technician submitted a written recusal agreeing not to inspect the company that employed her brother.