Reports | Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior

January 28, 2022

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grants Awarded to the State of Delaware, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control From July 1, 2018, Through June 30, 2020, Under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

Report Number

2021-ER-001

We audited costs claimed and grant compliance by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control under grants awarded by the FWS.

Audit

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

, DE, United States

January 21, 2022

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Should Implement Policies and Procedures For Any Future Special Case Royalty Relief Programs

Report Number

2021-CR-006

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement should implement policies and procedures if it establishes a special case royalty relief program to address declines in commodity prices.

Inspection / Evaluation

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

January 21, 2022

Summary: Former Tribal Official Convicted of Bank Fraud

Report Number

16-0039

The official embezzled $95,001 by making personal purchases.

Investigation

Bureau of Indian Affairs

January 21, 2022

Summary: Leaseholder Penalized for Failing To Make Timely Royalty Payments

Report Number

20-0340

We substantiated allegations that a leaseholder failed to make timely royalty payments for minerals (gravel) a subcontractor removed from a tribally owned gravel pit.

Investigation

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

Bureau of Indian Affairs

January 20, 2022

The Bureau of Land Management Did Not Review the Federal Exclusions List Before Issuing Federal Mineral Leases

Report Number

2021-CR-007

We found that the BLM did not review the Federal exclusions to determine if mineral lease recipients were suspended or debarred before issuing leases.

Inspection / Evaluation

Bureau of Land Management

January 20, 2022

Summary: Unknown Individual Misdirected DOI Official’s Pay

Report Number

21-0192

We substantiated that an unknown individual fraudulently represented themselves as a DOI official and misdirected $64,097 of the official’s pay.

Investigation

January 20, 2022

Better Internal Controls Could Ensure Accuracy of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue’s Royalty Reporting and Adjustments

Report Number

2020-CR-009

We found that ONRR needs to strengthen its internal controls and processes to ensure accurate royalty reporting for adjustments.

Audit

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

January 19, 2022

Fulfillment of Purchase Card Orders

Report Number

2021-FIN-022

Our inspection identified $155,575 in CARES Act and pandemic-related purchase card transactions with insufficient documentation.

Inspection / Evaluation

Pandemic

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Bureau of Reclamation

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Departmentwide

National Park Service

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Geological Survey

Bureau of Indian Affairs

January 12, 2022

U.S. Geological Survey Employee Fraudulently Used the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program

Report Number

20-0308

We substantiated allegations that a USGS employee fraudulently received donated leave, valued at $4,710, through the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program.

Investigation

U.S. Geological Survey

January 5, 2022

Summary: Oil and Gas Company Pays $1.9 Million to Resolve Unpaid Royalties

Report Number

17-0188

We substantiated allegations that an oil and gas company failed to pay Federal mineral royalties, and ONRR recovered a total of $1,903,261.

Investigation

Office of Natural Resources Revenue