Reports

We audited costs claimed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources (Division) under grants awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. We conducted this audit to determine whether the Division used grant funds and State hunting and fishing license revenue for allowable fish and wildlife activities and complied with applicable laws and regulations, FWS guidelines, and grant agreements.

The April 2021 Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the Office of Inspector General’s successful work completed from October 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021, to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within the programs, operations, and management of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Our audit-related activities resulted in total monetary impacts of $2,174,176 with 246 recommendations made and 107 recommendations closed. Our investigative activities resulted in 3 indictments, 16 criminal and civil referrals, and $7,462,808 in civil settlements or recoveries.

We investigated allegations that a National Park Service (NPS) supervisor took Government property for personal use and misused her official position. The NPS subsequently notified us that one of the supervisor’s subordinate employees also took Government computer equipment for personal use. We found that the NPS supervisor and two subordinate employees took Government property for personal use. We also found that the NPS supervisor misused two subordinates’ official time by directing them to perform work on her personal property for her personal benefit.

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Indian Education employee improperly used school funds to update classrooms. We also investigated allegations that the employee personally benefitted from the renovation projects by improperly influencing the award of a Federal contract to their spouse to perform the interior design work for the projects. We did not substantiate the allegations that the employee used their position in an improper manner or that the employee or the employee’s spouse personally benefitted from any of the classroom renovation work that was completed.