Reports

The OIG investigated an allegation that a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) contract specialist misused his assigned Government charge card. We determined that Matthew Wathen embezzled over $26,000 through unauthorized personal use of his Government charge card, including weekly lodging, monthly rental cars, dining, gasoline, vacations, and other expenses. Wathen resigned from his USGS position and pleaded guilty to one count of theft of Government funds in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

During an investigation of the use of self-bonds in coal operations, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified an issue with access to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s (WDEQ’s) records related to its grant from the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE). We found that the WDEQ may be restricting OSMRE personnel’s ability to remove records from WDEQ offices for OSMRE review and audit.

The OIG investigated allegations that a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) law enforcement officer stole Government property from the wildlife refuge where he was assigned, to include lawn maintenance equipment, furniture, and ammunition. The complainant also alleged that the officer’s spouse offered to sell them the stolen Government ammunition. We found no evidence that the officer stole Government property, nor did we corroborate that his spouse offered to sell Government ammunition to anyone. We reviewed refuge records and property and confirmed that no property was missing.

Collection of Documentation by Companies Mining on Federal Lands

Alleged Theft of Government Property by FWS Law Enforcement Officer Unfounded