Reports

BLM Official Allegedly Abused Travel and Government Vehicle

The OIG investigated allegations that a tribe had improperly removed funds from the bank account of a tribally controlled school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). We investigated whether the tribe exceeded its authority in removing the funds and whether any of the funds had been stolen. We found that the tribe did not exceed its authority by removing the funds and that no funds had been stolen. We found that the tribe removed the funds as part of an effort to spend down a $3 million surplus that had accumulated in the school’s account over several years.

We initiated this investigation based on information we received while investigating U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ryan Zinke’s use of noncommercial aircraft for U.S. Government travel. This investigation focused on whether Secretary Zinke abused his position by having his family members travel with him in Government vehicles, whether he asked that his wife, Lolita Zinke, be appointed as a DOI volunteer to legitimize her travel, and whether he requested a Government cell phone for her.

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) manager reprised against a BSEE employee for engaging in protected activities. We found that the employee engaged in the protected activities and that the manager knew of the complaints made to our office and to the Equal Employment Opportunity Office when the personnel actions were taken.

BSEE Has Opportunities To Help Industry Improve Oil Spill Preparedness