Office of Inspector General's 2017 Organizational Assessment
Office of Inspector General's 2017 Organizational Assessment
Reports
Theft of Funds from the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
OIG investigated allegations of theft from the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (SNO) through counterfeit checks associated with an account that may have contained Federal funds.
Our investigation determined that multiple individuals from the Wichita, KS area cashed counterfeit checks totaling more than $20,000. The checks were made to look like they had been issued by legitimate Wichita businesses, however, the routing and bank account information printed on the checks resulted in the funds being withdrawn from an SNO bank account.
The U.S.
NPS Management Responded Appropriately to Sexual Misconduct Complaints
The OIG investigated whether National Park Service (NPS) management appropriately handled sexual misconduct complaints at a National Recreation Area (NRA) in Texas. The initial complainant reported that an employee at the NRA exposed himself to her and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2014. The complainant alleged she reported the incidents to NPS management when they occurred, but they failed to take any action.
Our investigation did not find any evidence that the complainant reported the incidents to her supervisor as she reported in her complaint.
Bureau of Land Management’s Idle Well Program
We inspected whether the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) implementation of its 2012 Idle Well Review and Data Entry policy reduced its number of idle wells in accordance with policy. Specifically, we assessed whether BLM: (1). maintained an accurate inventory of idle wells; (2) developed a clear strategy for reviewing idle wells; (3) ensured required idle well reviews, approvals, and tests were performed; and (4) maintained reliable idle well data.
Based on data received from BLM, we determined the Bureau did not reduce the number of idle wells from 2013 through August 2016.
Opportunity To Recoup Additional Revenue in the Federal Investment in Water Projects From the Conveyance of Non-Project Water
We conducted a review of the Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR’s) administration of transfers and conveyances of water. Our objective was to determine whether the transfers and conveyances facilitated by the USBR were done in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
We could not make a determination because a legal opinion on application of the Warren Act of 1911, which governs conveyance of non-project water through Federal facilities, is needed.
Bureau of Land Management’s Idle Well Program
Implementation of BLM’s Idle Well Reviews and Data Entry Policy
Opportunity To Recoup Additional Revenue in the Federal Investment in Water Projects From the Conveyance of Non-Project Water
The USBR May Have Opportunity to Recoup Revenue To Repay the Federal Investment in Water Programs
NPS Management Responded Appropriately to Sexual Misconduct Complaints
NPS Management Responded Appropriately to Sexual Misconduct Complaints
Theft of Funds from the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Theft of Funds from the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
BIA Manager Allegedly Sexually Harassed Three Subordinate Employees
The OIG investigated allegations that a BIA manager had sexually harassed his direct subordinate.
The employee and two other women, both of whom had reported to the manager in the past, told us that he had subjected them to unwelcome and inappropriate touching or sexual remarks. The employee said the manager touched her inappropriately and made unwelcome remarks of a sexual nature to her. The second woman, also a BIA employee, said the manager had made inappropriate remarks to her when she worked for him.