Reports

OIG investigated allegations that an employee at the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) lied about her cancer diagnosis, forged medical records, falsified documents, and abused her own sick leave and leave donated by coworkers. Our investigation confirmed the allegations. We found no evidence that the OST employee had been diagnosed with cancer or that she received medical care for cancer as she claimed. On 15 occasions, the employee submitted physicians’ notes to OST containing forged signatures from 5 separate medical providers.

Falsification of Sick Leave by former OST Employee

OIG investigated discrepancies identified after the National Park Service (NPS) conducted an electronic audit of the fee collection software at the Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO), located in eastern Arizona, which compared cash collected at the park with cash deposits made into the bank. Our investigation determined that from approximately 2010 through March 2016, Sharon Baldwin, Supervisory Visitor Use Assistant, exploited vulnerabilities in the NPS remittance process at PEFO and stole approximately $313,000 in fees collected at the park.

We evaluated the Department’s draft body camera policy and bureau body camera practices and determined that they were not consistent with industry standards. We identified two leading authorities on law enforcement use of body cameras—the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Executive Research Forum—and concluded that by adopting their recommendations, the Department and bureaus will strengthen their body camera policies and practices.

DOI Law Enforcement Body Camera Policy and Practices Are Not Consistent With Industry Standards