Unfounded Allegations of Misuse of NPS Funds

The OIG investigated allegations that a former National Park Service (NPS) superintendent held visitor donations in a private investment account instead of a U.S. Treasury account as required by NPS policy and may have personally benefited from the funds.

We found no evidence of misuse or personal gain. We analyzed the account and found no withdrawals or transfers; all the donations remained in the account. Although holding the funds in a private investment account violated NPS policy, we found the superintendent was following procedures established by his predecessors. The NPS is in the process of transferring the funds to a U.S. Treasury account and enhancing its oversight of the funds.