Reports

We investigated an allegation that a senior USGS manager retaliated against a subordinate employee because the employee had participated in another investigation against him. We determined that the employee’s role in the other investigation against the senior manager constituted protected activity, but the evidence did not show that the senior manager knew of the employee’s involvement in that investigation. Accordingly, the evidence did not support a finding that the senior manager retaliated against the employee in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Unsubstantiated Allegation of Reprisal by a Senior U.S. Geological Survey Manager

We audited the costs claimed by the State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources (Department) under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. The audit included claims totaling approximately $153 million on 43 grants that were open during the State fiscal years that ended June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018.

The OIG investigated allegations that a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) employee working at a refuge stole copper wiring and a bulldozer. We found that the employee removed copper from the former military facilities at the refuge and sold it for less than $5,000 during the last 10 years. We did not find evidence that the employee converted a Government-owned bulldozer for personal use or financial gain. We presented our interim findings to the FWS, and the employee was subsequently removed from Federal service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined prosecution.

We investigated allegations that a tribal non-profit organization misused $50,000 it received for a 3-day training conference. It received the funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) through a cooperative agreement. We did not find any evidence of misuse of funds or of false claims and determined the organization used the full amount of the cooperative agreement to cover costs associated with the training conference.