We investigated allegations that a National Park Service (NPS) employee misused their position when the employee’s family business sold items on park property.
Our investigation determined the employee’s family business sold handmade items to the partner concessionaire that managed the gift shop at the park. The concessionaire then sold those handmade items at the park. We found no evidence, however, that the employee misused their position at the NPS to sell items from their family business at the park. We also found no evidence the employee violated ethical standards or policies because their business relationship with the concessionaire did not implicate any Federal ethics laws, regulations, or rules. After we interviewed the employee, they consulted with the Office of the Solicitor, which provided the employee with guidance for any future sales to the NPS concessionaire.