12-2297 Corrected Brief Submission Package
12-2297 Corrected Brief Submission Package
12-2297 Corrected Brief Submission Package
the motion is .
CATHERINE OHAGAN WOLFE, Clerk oI Court
Date: By:
(rev. 7-12)
12-2297 pr
Late Fileing, Reconsideration for CoA
Extraordinary Circumstances of boffo late Brady
Disclosure on the day of the Courts final extension;
Karron v USA
Leave to: File Late, Reconsider, file Appendx, for
CoA or Re-brief this appeal (do-Over) with CJA
Karron USA
Fast moving
pro se
s
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ur Office of Counsel
(OC) is investigating circumstances concerni ng I I t
tic submachine guns
without the required approval of the Inspector General. Preliminary review indicates that the
weapons were obtained contrary to existing policy and that the policy was subsequently
changed, after the fact, to delete the r C is also reviewing the
significant performance deficiencies o hich I outlined in an email
to you on May 26, 2011 (attached) to determine what, if any, action Is warranted.
2. Mismanagement of the government vehicles: There are two activities underway: 1) right-sizing
the type of vehicles and the number of vehicles the OIG leases, and 2) attempting to reconstruct
significant lack of documentation concerning the use of the vehicles and reviewing questionable
charges on the fuel credit cards.
3. Mismanagement of weapons: Eliminating the excessive number of Glock handguns, and
properly disposing of all automatic submachine guns and all shotguns.
4. Mismanagement of 01 Pollcles: The policies are in disarray, must be fixed, and have been in a
"draft" state for an unacceptable amount of time, despite 01 management being told by the FO
last year to move forward on processing the policies.
5. QAR/Peer Review: Past 01 management's neglect to appy appropriate resources to
omlngpeer review required OIG leadershl to In and rocure the services
a retired official from th assist in the preparation
for the peer review reviewing the unnn::rco of the operation that
will be subject to the peer review and is p . : .ort fo Leadership. This report is
necessary because the QAR conducted by as wholly deficient.
6. Review of current case Inventory: Identifying and resolving aged and completed cases that
should be closed and removed from the active inventory. A FO case review conducted in
February/March 2011 identified numerous cases that needed to be closed. A FO follow-up in
May on IGCIRTS found multiple cases that were resolved in some instances years ago yet
remained as open Investigations, giving rise to at least an appearance that the caseload was
greater than it really was or, worse, in order to keep cases from being examined during the
upcoming peer review, which will review only closed cases.
7. Disbanding the CCU: The review documented non-performance and under
performance by ~ e un May 2011, the unit had only 10 open
matters divided am the unit has been disbanded and the staff Is now
integrated into the staff d Office.
8. case opening procedures: New procedures are being put in place for opening investigations,
including case designations, prioritization and assignments. A recent review found that some of
the "preliminary'' matters had been open for a year or more without being converted to a full
investigation.
9. Mismanagement of case files and Investigative records: 01 transitioned to an electronic case
file system In October 2009, but even with this electronic system, 01 must still have a system for
maintaining paper records, files and documentation. There are serious indications, including
potentially inadequate controls around the handling of 6(e) information, that the filing system
and procedures are in significant disarray and must be fixed . In addition, a FO review on IGCIRTS
found numerous documents that were not dated or had other deficiencies, including references
to documents that were not in the electronic ca
about the failure to date Investigative docum
having the agents date documents would require a policy change.
10. Accountability for Special Agent time: The productivity of 01 is unacceptable. The FO case
review established a serious Jack of case management and for many agents raised obvious
questions about how they were spending their time. As a result, the Inspector General
2
Instructed the Principal AlGI to establish a requirement that OJ staff document their work on an
hourly basis in order to provide a greater level of transparency and accountability for their time,
including the 25% salary premium received by the
11. New manage he Hotline:
agency. Unlik is
not related to performance issues. At the same time, we have issued a contract for Hotline
intake which requires that updated processes and procedures for complaint intake and
processing be in place. Management and staffing for the Hotline must be addressed. In the
past, the Hotline has been a significant source of cases that should have never been opened as
investigations.
12. IG-CIRTS: Our management review determined that IG-CIRTS is not an adequate management
information system. We have decided not to invest anymore time, resources or efforts into
further developing or modifying the system. Requirements and a plan for a new system are
needed. The software being used to develop systems for OC and the OIG help desk will be used
if possible.
I would like to meet with you on these items on a weekly basis to the maximum extent our schedules
will allow with an objective of resolving as many of these items as possible by the end of the fiscal year.
Attachment
Cc: Wade Green
#
3
Zinser, Todd
From: Zinser, Todd
Sent:
Thursday,- AM
To: Beitel, Rick
Cc: Dahl, Scott, .
Subject: Review of OJ cases
Each day this week I have been reviewing selected 01 cases. I requested a current list of open cases and began reviewing
that report. My initial intent was to try to compare the Jist of cases against the cases we reviewed in February/March to
determine what progress had been made on those cases since our review.
On hree cases assigned to nd one case
/11.
the information provided to me, these cases represented all cases assigned nd half of
Yesterday I looked oad and found two cases reviewed on Tuesday and identified
them for closing by I instructed that they be closed by the en week. In one case, for example, (HQCC
10-0018-1) an allegation of child porn was received from PTO in march 2007 . By June 2007, we determined that the
computer contained no evidence of child porn and that something (not documented in the file) was referred back to
PTO . There is no indication why the case remained opened for almost 4 years. The ROI is also devoid of any information
about the disposition of any administrative action taken by PTO. The ROI is not dated and the author Is not indicated.
IG_Cirts Is showing this morning that the case was closed yesterday.
In the second case I reviewed yesterday (HQ-CC-lD-0174-M), the file shows that in June 2008, a NOAA employee was
arrested in Arlington County, VA for soliciting a 13 year old girl over the internet. We were asked to seize his computer.
The employee resigned from NOAA i n ~ O O ~ . Tfie SF-50 was entered into IG-CIRTS on 5/24/11. Case is not yet
closed.
Today I looked at a case assigned HQ-CC-10..0021-1). In that case, we received an allegation in August
2006 that a NOAA employee was sus child pornography at work. In November 2006, it was determined
that there was no evidence on the employee's computer that po was viewing included child pornography.
On 7/15/2010, the employee's SF50 showing his retirement In entered into IG-CIRTS. On July 20,
2010, a "FINAL IRF" was entered into IG-CIRTS. On 5/24/2011, age and a ROI was entered into IG_CIRTS. The
ROI is not dated and the a.uthor is not Indicated. The case listing we used in our February/March case reviews shows this
case closed on 7/21/10. A report I received dated 5/24/11 is still showing the case opened.
I have not yet reviewed the other two cases assigned
In summary, I've looked at cases assigned clal agents assigned nit. There
are a total of 13 cases. The cases I've at a minimum, un performance. I am recommending
that disciplinary and/or performance action be considered with respect
Todd J. Zinser
Inspector General
U.S. Department of Commerce
Room 7898c
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
1
On the morning of 5/24/ 11, I reviewed IG-ciRtS
The list of cases assigned uded four cases, as follows:
HQ-CC-lO-o017-I: This was a case involving alleged sexual harassment using government email and
alleged drug trafficking bY, a Census employee. It had been opened since 2008. The subject was
removed in March 2009. Case remained opened for over 2 years with no activity and no report of
investigation. On March 24, 2011, I dire close the case. The final ROt indicates that the AlGI
at the time told the reporting agent that OIG investigative jurisdiction for the drug allegation and
directed that all investigative activity cease. There is no contemporaneous documentation of this
discussion and this infonnation is not consistent with case file documentation of a June 2010 case
review during which the reporting agent was directed to: "1) follow up with CEN on subject's
employment status; 2) check status of any narcotics related investigation; 3) close case."
HQ-CC-1()-{)023-1: This was a case involving a NOAA employee in Boulder Colorado viewing adult
pornography.lt had been opened since 2006. The computer forensic analysis was conducted in 2005.
The subject interview was conducted in September 2007. Information was provided to NOAA for
administrative action but it is not clear from records in IG-CIRTS what was provided, when or with whose
approval. The subject resigned in September 2010: Case remained opened until I directed it be closed in
'
May 2011, five years after the complaint came in. The ROI is dated May 2011 so it Is unknown what
information was provided to NOAA, in what format and with whose approval.
HQ-CC-10-1311-t: This case Involved alleged child pornography. It was opened in August 2010.
Information was referred to NOAA at some point during 2010 but what information was referred, when
and with whose approval is not indicated in IG-CIRTS. The computer forensic analysis conducted
between August 2010 and November 2010 did not disclose. child pornography. The subject resigned in
January 2011. Nonetheless, the case remained opened for .S months until I directed it be closed In May
2011.
HQ-CC-1037-V: This was a special project assigned Is only one document in the file
and that document does not contain a true and accurate description of the assignment. In May 2010 I
directed the AlGI to conduct an analysis of OIG employees to check for any misuse of the internet,
specifically using OIG IT systems to surf the internet.for pornography. I did this in anticipation of a
possible Congressional request pertaining to the Department similar to publicity concerni ng the SEC. I
wanted to be sure that OIG did not have a problem should we be asked to look at other parts of the
Department. IG-ciRTS Indicates that this matter was not assigned until July 2010. As of May 2011, it
remained unfinished with no documentation in IG-CIRTS such as case review notes or agent's notes. It
is unknown why this matter was not properly documented in IG-ciRTS and why the
in such a way. On the May 24, 2011, the matter was reassigned
basis for the reassignment is not included In IG-CIRTS,
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Inspector General
\/\Ja!>h1ngt.on. C ::; 20230
August 26. 20 I I
SI'CRFlRARY
FROM: T1(JJT.'
Inspector General
SUBJECT: Management Rev h.:'' ofOJ(j Oflicc oflll\ c;o;tig.ations
Over the past six months. I havt: pcrsnnall) out a management rc\ icw or the OIU Office of
Investigations (01). I have been aided in that rt'vic\\ the Deputy Inspector General. Counsel to the
Inspector General and the current Principal Inspector <icncral for lnwstigations whom I
appointed to that position in March :!0 II .
On February I I. 20 I I. I that t
with the documents supponing 50 cases
of my revit:w of those documents. I cond
their supervisors. arch 2 7. 20 I ly
stepped down !'ron osition a
agency.
My review of cases led to my rcv1c" ofother uf our ofinvestigative operations
including but not limited to weapons. !!Uvcrnment vehicles. policies. maintenance ofcase files. case
management. including case nee I have
undertaken this review
accepted downgraded
We have streamlined the nf uur <)f'licc or lmcstig.ations <Hid have worked diligently lbr the
past 6 months Ill address the issues uncovered in management rcviC\\-. In October 20 II. our
investigative operation will be peer reviev .. cd by another Federal OKi . I fully expect the peer review to
highlight the areas for improvement '-"C have a I idcntiticd lor oursch es. The peer review will
detennine whethcrthcrc is reasonable a'isurancc: that llllr investigations arc carried out according to
standards established by the IG cummunity and the <icncral guidelines. We will provide a copy
orthe peer review results to you lilr your infnrmalilHl as they are availahle .
. has hccn installed and our investigative operations
continue to be reviewed under llC\\ leadership.
Please let me knm\ if I can pnwidc further intimnation.
l\>ntidcntial
Cuntuins lnfomlatiun \.:t. ro.:quo.:'l '"' nr llrrtho.:r
hi! In tho.: lllhc t n:u\ral.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of Inspector General
Washington, DC 20230
September 29,2011
MEMORANDUM FOR: Todd J. Zinser
Inspector General
FROM: ScottDabl
Deputy Inspector General
Principal Assistant Inspector General
for Investigations & Whistleblower Protection
SUBJECT: Response to Current Elements ofOI Management Review
This sets forth the response to your memorandum dated July 1, 2011, memorializing the current
elements comprising our review ofthe Office ofInvestigation (01) management. The response is
highlighted in red after each element. The actions addressing each element were the result of
discussions and decisions made at weekly meetings with the Inspector General and Counsel.
The current elements ofour review are as follows:
1. Mismanagement and alleged miseonduct Office of
Counsel (OC) is investigating circumstances automatic
submachine guns without the required approval ofthe Inspector General. Preliminary review
indicates that the weapons were obtained ronttary to existing policy and that the policy was
subsequently changed, after the fact, to delete the fc IG val OC is also
reviewing the significant performance deficiencies o hich I
outlined inan email to you on May 26. 20II, to detcnnine what, ifany, action is warranted.
have since left the OIG. Prior
performed at an unacceptable
An inquiiy conducted by OC involving the procurement ofsubmachine guns has been
completed and an internal report is being drafted. The basic finding in the inquiry is that
the weapons were procured inrontrave:ntion of the then applicable 01 policy section on
firearms requiring IG approval and that subsequent to the
for IG approval was improperly deleted from the policy.
for the 'ilallle to the policy section when asked why
the that the change was an "error" and was not intentional.
U.S. Department ofCommerce- Office of Inspector General
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(Public availability to be determined under S U.S. C. 552)
2
had the significant performance deficiencies referenced in your
provided a memorandum outlining these deficiencies.
2. MkmaNgUDE'Jit oftbe me two activities \llKbway. 1) rigtt.Qzing the type
ofvehicles and the m.unberofvehicles the OIG leases, and 2) attcuping signifor!f lackof
docume.:otatial concemiug the use of the vdticles and reviewing charges on the fuel
credit cards.
An OIG special investigator conducted an inquiry into OI's management ofthe vehicles
and the agents' usc ofthe vehicles. A report ofthat inquily will be tober
basic findings ofthat inquiry are that agents were instructed
t to continue to ask for approval each time that they wanted to e e
me, despite the requirement ofsupervisory approval in the thc:n applicable
policy on use ofgovernment vehicles. The ors policy on usc of a government vehicle is
under revision to address the issues raised in the internal inquiry .
. ,
3. Miamt.ttgemeutwelpOIIS: ElimhmiogthecccessivelllllixTofGJoclcbmlguns, mxlpxopaly
disposingofall automatic submachine guns and all sbotguns.
The excess Glockhandguns, the automatic submachine guns, and the shotguns have been
disposed ofin accordance with General Services Administration regulations .
.hi served
relieved Will be leaving
2010 tradc-m to Glock of the OIG'a 60 9mm Glock }l.&.:l!LUI.O)
undocumented Wlderstanding at the time from Glock that OIG's pistols would
not be resold to the public. Glock has informed OIG-consistent with a disclaimer on
its price quote, it made no such representation to the in fact,
reconditioned OIG's traded-in pistols (by law maining e onginal serial number,
traceable to OIG) and provided .them to distributors and dealers, including pawn shops,
which in tum have sold multiple pistols to private individuals.
4. Mismtnagemwtof OIPo&:ies: Thepolidcs arcindisamry,IIJJStbe fixed, andhavehemin a "draft" &1ate
for anunacceptable anxxmtoftime, despite OImanagement being toldby the FO last year to move
forward on processing the policies.
The current 01 Policies that have been on the shared drive for all agents to follow have
also bec:n placed inthe OIG intranet Many policies have been revised to address
deficiencies fom1d during the case reviews, and thesepolicies are under review by senior
management to be approved in October 2011. 01 management will host one or more
training sessions on the revised PQlicies. OJ will continue to follow the policy
development process set forth inthe OIG Policy on Policies and will continue to post the
policies in force on the intranct.
5.
U.S. Department ofCommerce-OfficeoflnspectorGeneral
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(Public availability to be determined under S U.S. C. 552)
3
theunivase ofcases and aspects oftheopemtionthat will be subject to the t .. "-: l"'lA .;.,. I .t h: a
report forLeadmbip. This l't'pOJt is neces5al)'becausetheOARocofnrted
' .
whollydeficient.
::onau.c:too and prepared a quality assessment review that was provided to
Peer Team for the peer review scheduled to begin on October 31, 2011.
others reviewed closed cases and the policies to determine what needed to be
changc::a.to address the identified deficiencies. A memorandum from 01 management
will be provided to the 01 staffdiscussing the deficiencies in these reviews and what
steps have been taken to address them.
6. Reriew o(aJITCIJtcaseiaYeumly. JdeDHYing cases that shouldbe
closcrlaod I'CZllO\'OO fumtheactiveimmory. A FO condtded in February!Maicll20ll
idmtifiai II.IDleiOOScases tbatneedOO tobe closOO. AFO follow-up inMayooIGORTS fruOO IWltiPe
cases that werereooM:d inoneinstances ycam )'l:t nmained as open givingriseto at
least ancqpam::etbat the caselood wasgreala' thanitreally was or, worse, inookrto1a:cpcases from
being eqmjned duringtheupcoming peer review, which will review only closed cases.
01 and Front Office leaders have reviewed the current case inventory to identify cases
that should be closed using a variety offactors, including age ofthe case and lack of
investigative activity. OJ management has met with each agent to conduct a case review
on all open cases using a checklist to determine iffurther investigative activities are
justified and to set forth parameters and schedule for further work.
We notified the Peer Review Team that we have closed and will be closing additional
cases that we invited the team to include in their selection sample. A revised Jist ofthe
cases to be considered by the team was sent on September 23, 2011.
7. significattmperfoonanc:eand uOOerperfoml8DCCby
May 2011, the unitbad only 10openuatelsdivided amJDgtbe
tbeUDtthasbemdisbmded mitbe staffismwintegrated into the staffofthe
-FieldOffice.
The CCU was disbanded in
to the-to
computer forensics assistance to other cases as
assigned to provide forensic :1 :1 1110: I t I .,
subsequently left the OIG in
8. Case.,W12p111Udwes: are mding
pririti2Zcn amassigrnno:is. A n:attreview fouod that saneoftbe "preliminaJy''
matters bad been open fur a yearormore withoot beingoonvatcd to a full investigation.
A new procedure was developed for case opening in July 2011. A checklist with criteria
is now used to evaluate each new matter to determine the best disposition. In additioilt in
June 2011, all preliminary cases that had been open for longer than 60 days were
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(Public availability to be determined under 5 U.S.C. 552)
4
converted to investigations. Now, preliminary cases are automatically converted after 30
days to either an investigation, a refcmU, or closed.
9. Mimli'<V'wntmcueflesmdimatigatiYeIUOids: ortJ:ansitioocd to aneledlooiccase
file systeminOctober2009, but even withthisdcdialic system, OlmJSt still have asystem fur
p 18il dajr I jrlg papc:recoois, files a00 OOcumcmation. 'J1x:reate seriOUS indications, including
poteDtia11y inadequate controls aromd thehandling of6(e) infuunati011t that the filing systemml
procc:dRs arcinsignifi<m disamiy aodrwst be fixedInaddition, a FOreview oniGCIRTS
fOODd numerous documeDsthat were not daredorbad otha"deficicacies, inclOOingrefcreoc::e;
to documents that werenot in the electronic
about the firi1ure todare investigative that
having the agents date documents would
01 moved to a paper-based case managCIIlCDt system in August 2011.
Agents were also instructed on what documents had to be included in the case file and on
the proper storage of6(c) materials, with corresponding changes made to 01 policies. The
incoming complaints, intake, case assignment and designation, and case disposition
continue to be uploaded in IG-CIRTS, which will continue to be used to capture, track,
and report data on 01 cases.
10. AmJeun.-uty for Spedal Agltt time: The pab:tivity of 01 is The FO case
review estahJisbed a seti:Jus lack of case managanem mxl fer many ageas raised obvirus
questions about how they were spending their time. As a result, the lnspectoi: General instructed
the Pri1Jcipal AlGI to establish a requirement that OJ staff documem their worlc on an hourly
basis in ordtt to provide a greater level of transparency and accoumability for their time,
including the 25% salary premium received by the special agents.
Starting in August 2011, agents were instructed to account for each half hour oftheir
time. On a periodic basis, the time records are nm for OI management
Prnt'lessesktheBodioe: agency.
havealready is not rdatcd to
A1 thesaJD: time, we have issued a intake which requires that
updated processes and p;ocedun."S fa: eolqllaint imlkeaOO pooessingbe inplace. Managementand
staffing fur the must be addressed. In the past, the Hotlinebas been a significam soorceofcases
that sbooki haveneverbeenopenedas investigations.
The new Hotline Director bas worked with the contractor to improved the complaint
intake process and make it more responsive to 01 needs. In addition, new procedures.
have been put inplace for case opening listing that will be used for
vetting each complaint. The Hotline also have been tracking the
trends and types ofcomplaints received for each of the OOC bureaus. This infonnation
bas been forwarded to the bureaus on a quarterly basis.
12. IGCIKI'S:
information system. We have decided oot to anymore time, resources ocefforts into fur1ha
U.S. Department ofCommerce- Office ofInspector General
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s
developing ormodifyingthe system. Requirements am aplan for anew systemare needed. Thesoftware
beingU!ed to develop sygam forOC and the OIG help desk will beused ifpossible.
We have gone to a paper-based system for case management, but we continue
to use IG-CIRTS for the tracking of incoming complaints and disposition. We are
still exploring and evaluating other systems to possibly replace IG-CIRTS.
cc: Wade Green
Attachments
Exhibits
U.S. Department ofCoiiUllerce- Office of Inspector General
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
(Public awiJability to be detennined under S U.S.C. 552)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT Of COMMERCE
Office of the Inspector General
Washington, DC 20230
October 28, 2011
MEMORANDUM FOR: Todd J. Zinser
Inspector General
Rick Beitel
Principal Assistant Inspector General
for Investigations & Whistleblower Protection
FROM: Scott Dahl _ , ~
Deputy Inspector General
SUBJECT: Analysis ofOI Case Closings from May 2010 to September
2011
This memorandum is a summary of an analysis I conducted on 58 closed cases
from the Office of Investigations during the time period from May 1, 201 0 to September
30,2011.
Backgrognd
During a meeting on 01 management in August 2011, you asked me to conduct a
review ofa sample ofthe closed cases that will be on the list provided to the CIGIE Peer
Review Team for its review during the week of October 31. My review of 58 cases
covers slightly less than halfofthe list we provided to the Peer Review Team. The
objective ofmy review was for us to ascertain what our deficiencies and vulnerabilities
are with the closed cases so that we could address them through policy and process
changes.
01 management had completed a closed case review in March 2011 Quality
Assessment Review (QAR) led by a former 01 manager. The Front Office found
deficiencies in this March QAR, including the closed case review in which only 5 out of
the 39 cases reviewed identified significant shortcomings in the diligence and timeliness
ofinvestigations ( 4 out ofthe 5 by one reviewer). My review of those same 39 found
that 20 were not investigated with due diligence and in a timely manner, with some cases
having periods ofa year or more with no investigative activity. The QAR identified
significant problems with periodic supervisory case reviews (1 Sout of39) and lack of
investigative plans (26 out of39). My review ofthose same 39 found even more cases
that failed in the two categories.
U.S. Department of Commerce- Office of Inspector General
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
(Public availability to be detennined under S U.S.C. 552)
2
Methodology
In my analysis, I used the "CIGIE Peer Review Individual Closed Case Review
Checklist" to examine the closed cases. I started with the original 39 "included in OI's
March QAR and expanded the list, after consulting with Rick Beitel, to include 19
additional cases, for a total of58. After reviewing dozens, patterns and themes emerged
that made further review unnecessary and repetitive.
At the outset ofmy review, I went into IG CIRTS to review the closed case file,
but I found that it was cumbersome and appeared at the time for some cases not to
include agents' case notes or e-mail with supervisors or others,
including prosecutors. I therefore send a mess-aall agents to
upload any case related materials from mto IG CIRTS. hen pulled the
materials from IG CIRTS and placed them in single PDF files fo owmg an outline that
we developed with case opening materials in the front and the ROI closing memorandwn
at the back.
I reviewed the materials electronically and then printed relevant parts of the file to
be included in binders for me to make notes on and as a record ofmy assessment. The
completed checklist is placed on top of each case file.
The factors that I considered in making my determinations for when a case was
not diligently investigated or timely completed with a report included the following:
Significant periods of time of6 months or more when little or no
investigative activity occurred.
o I did not include that time that the closing ROI was under
supervisory review, which was sometimes extensive and
unacceptably long.
o I also did not include the time that the matter was pending with an
AUSA, so long as there was some indication in the file that the
agent was making an effort, however small, to push the case along.
Delays of3 months or more in drafting the ROI or closing memorandum.
o I did not include time that agents were noting that they had other
priority matters to work on, as directed by their supervisors.
I looked for milestones, such as criminal declination, tennination or
separation ofthe subject employee, or administrative action taken against
the subject.
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3
Summary of Significant Deficiencies and How 01 is Addressing Them
The significant deficiencies in the closed 01 cases fall into three categories:
1. Lack ofdue diligence in conducting the investigation and timely drafting a
report.
2. No investigative plan.
3. Insufficient supervisory review ofthe case.
1. Lack ofDue Diligence and Failure to Timely Complete Report
Below is a chart showing the number ofcases that fall into the first category that
is captured in 3 related questions on the CIGIE Checklist (1, 17, and 23). These
questions go to the heart ofwhat an investigations function should be doing for each case.
The fact that some ofthese cases sat dormant for a year or more with little or no
investigative activity is inexcusable, and both the agent and the supervisor were therefore
negligent in the handling ofthe case. In defense ofmany ofthe newer agents, they were
given most ofthe legacy cases that were aged at the time and asked to close them, mostly
in the late 2010 and early 2011 time period, and for the most part, these agents did work
diligently to close them. So including their names in the chart below should not be an
indication that they acted negligently in closing the cases, but it is such an indication for
the agents who have been here longer.
Question 1: Diligent, complete, & all appropriate criminal, civil, contractual, or
administrative remedies considered?
Out of58 cases, 27 were "no."
1
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Question 17: Investigative results documented in a timely, accurate, and complete
manner?
Out of 58 cases, 24 were "no.,
t
Question 23: All relevant aspects of investigation were addressed, and reports were
accurate, clear, complete, concise, logically organized, timely, and objective?
Out of58 cases, 32 were "no."
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s
To address this significant deficiency, we developed several policies that are
directed at ensuring the agents conduct investigations with diligence and prepare timely
reports. For example, the initial period for conducting a preliminary inquiry is now 30
days to make a decision on disposition (convert to full investigation, refer to bureau, or
close), instead ofopen ended as it was previously. In a d d i t i o ~ we now have a policy for
completing an investigation within 180 days so that employees are not left in limbo for
years in some cases or cases being held open long after the employee left Commerce.
We also have shorter time periods specified for writing the reports (60 days following
completion ofinvestigative activities). Furthermore, there is now a requirement that
there should be no more than 30 days between investigative activities.
2. No Investigative Plan
Few ofthe cases had investigative plans. Of the 58 eases, I found 16
Investigative plans. What was often marked in the "Investigative Plan'' file in IG CIRTS
was the "Investigative Action Form," which merely checks the category for the matter
whether it is an investigation or a preliminary. That is not an investigative plan in any
sense. When I asked several 01 managers about the omission ofinvestigative plans, they
t o l ~ me that the policy was not to prepare an investigative plan ifthe agent was senior or
ifthe matter was a simple one.
In our new policies, we have a section mandating the creation ofan investigative
plan in the first 24 hours after the case is assigned. The policy also provides a template
and sets forth what the contents ofthe investigative. plan needs to be so that we have
greater consistency and better understanding ofpi8IUled investigative activities.
3. Insufficient Supervisory Review
01 supervisors were with few exceptions derelict in providing periodic and
sufficient review for the cases. In the rare event that a supervisory case review was
conducted, it was generally in early 2011 as OJ was preparing for the Peer Review by
conducting the case review. Out of the 58 eases, only 13 bad periodic
case reviews by the supervisor, and this was generally
We have addressed this deficiency in our new policies by requiring that ASACs
conduct supervisory reviews after the first 30 days and then every 60 days thereafter.
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6
Summarv of Other Deficiencies
I found the following additional deficiencies in my case review:
In almost all cases that did not result in the referral for administrative
action, the investigative findings were not shared with the bureau.
Many ofthe ROis in IG CIRTS were undated, unsigned, or omitted the
name ofthe case agent and supervisor.
Many files did not contain FBI notifications.
Some cases did not document consultation with the prosecutor.
Failure to Share Findings with Bureaus
In not sharing the results ofour investigations, we deprived the bureaus of an
opportunity to receive sometimes important findings dealing with employees or
processes. The CIGIE checklist includes this question at the bottom of the checklist: "If
applicable, were systemic weaknesses identified during investigation reported to agency
officials? The answer was almost always no.
We have addressed this issue with a policy change that requires agents to send the
ROis to bureaus with appropriate redactions for privacy interests or for protecting
identities.
Undated and Unsigned ROis
The failure to date and sign the ROis and RFis made it difficult to detennine
when or by whom they were drafted. Most ofthe undated or unsigned were from last
year or the early part of this year. It appears to have been remedied this summer.
Nevertheless, the policy now requires that the ROis and other documents be dated and
signed. It seems rather silly to have to put this requirement in our policy, but that is the
state ofaffairs for 01.
No Documented Notification to FBI or Consultation with Prosecutor
Many cases did not have notification letters to the FBI. Obviously, same cases
that are clearly administrative do not require this. However, I did not find notification
letters in some criminal cases, even in several for which we were working the matter
jointly with the FBI. Likewise, I found scant documentation in some cases ofany
consultation with prosecutors, other than a reference to a declination in the ROI.
The policy now requires notification letters to the FBI at the outset ofcriminal
investigations and documentation of interactions with prosecutors.
cc: Wade Green
U.S. Pepartment ofCommerce- Office of Inspector General
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40
Exhibit 21
DOC IG 2 Letter to Congressman Wolf re IG reveals multiyear investigation into Ondrik and Yamatani May 1, 2013
Exhibit
21
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Inspector General
Washington, D.C. 20230
May 1, 2013
The Honorable Frank R. Wolf
Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,
and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-6015
Dear Mr. C hairman:
This further responds to your correspondence of December 18, 20 12, in which you requested that
we address the current issues invo lving the Office of Special Co unsel (OSC) and the Commerce
Office oflnspector General (010). On January 7, 2013, we responded, indicating that our
actions to address mismanagement and misconduct in our Office of Investigations included an
ongoing personnel matter that we were not at liberty to repo tt about at the time. We are now
ab le to provide addi tio na l info rmation co nce rni ng thi s matter.
On April 30, 2013 , the U.S . Attorney for the Di strict of Maryland atmounced that two former
Commerce OIG special agents pleaded guilty to submitting fal se claims for re location expenses
and time and attendance fraud. The investigation was carried out by the FBI and my office. This
is another serio us conseq uence of the mi smanage ment we fou nd in our Office oflnvestigations,
w hich we detail ed in o ur January 7, 2013 respo nse.
The U.S. Attorney's press release is attached for your information. If you have any further
questions about this matter, please co ntact me at (202) 482-466 1.
Sincerely,
Todd J. Z inser
Attachment
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District ofMaryland
Rod J. Rosenstein 36 South Charles Street 4/0-209-4800
United States Attorney 4'h Floor 7TYITDD: 410-962-4462
Baltimore. Maryland 21201 410-209-4885
Vickie E. LeDuc FAX 410-962-3091
Public Information Ojjicer Vickie.LeDuc@usdoj.gov
April 30, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
www.justice.gov/usao/md MARCIA MURPHY at (410) 209-4885
TWO FORMER SPECIAL AGENTS WITH DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OFFICE
OF INSPECTOR GENERAL PLEAD GUILTY TO SUBMITTING FALSE CLAIMS FOR
RELOCATION EXPENSES AND TIME AND ATTENDANCE FRAUD
Greenbelt, Maryland -Two former Special Agents with the U.S. Department of
Commerce, Office of Inspector General, Rachel Ondrik, age 35, of Frederick, Maryland, and Kirk
Yamatani, age 38, of Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to submitting false claims for
relocation expenses. Ondrik and Y amatani resigned their positions with the Department of
Commerce on March 29, 2013, as required by their plea agreements.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod
J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
and Todd Zinser, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).
"Today's announcement is the result of significant efforts by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the
FBI and my office to hold law enforcement agents accountable for years ofcriminal misconduct," said
Inspector General Todd Zinser of the U.S. Department of Commerce. "In addition to the fraud
perpetrated on the U.S. taxpayers, these now former employees also retaliated by carrying out a
destructive campaign of disparagement and false allegations against the Office of Inspector General
(OIG)." Mr. Zinser added, "I commend the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI for their diligent
efforts and perseverance in conducting this investigation."
According to their plea agreements, in 2009, Ondrik and Yamatani, transferred from the
DOC OIG's Atlanta, Georgia office to Washington, D.C. Ondrik and Yamatani were authorized
relocation benefits, including a househunting trip, en route travel, and temporary quarters living
expenses. Emails between Ondrik and Y amatani show that both agents were aware of the rules
governing their relocations and reimbursements for related expenses, yet both attempted to secure
payment from the DOC in amounts significantly exceeding what was authorized and submitted
claims for relocation related trips they did not take.
For example, Ondrik and Yamatani claimed $4,058.75 and $3,589, respectively for
househunting trips, when in fact, they did not make a househunting trip during the time claimed.
Ondrik and Yamatini each also falsely claimed more than $1,500 for travel to their new duty
station and falsely claimed reimbursement for temporary quarters living expenses in an amount
that was approximately three times what they were authorized. In all, Ondrik and Y amatani each
submitted at least three false vouchers seeking reimbursement for $39,563.25 and $36,305.57,
respectively. When Ondrik and Yamatani's claims for reimbursement were denied as being over
what the travel regulations allowed, Ondrik and Y amatani persisted in their claims. On several
occasions between 2009 and 2011, Ondrik and Y amatani reaffirmed the earlier false statements in
their vouchers and made false statements regarding the circumstances of their claims for
reimbursement.
Between June 2009 and February 2011, Ondrik and Yamatani also committed time and
attendance fraud against DOC OIG, claiming to have worked hours that they did not actually work.
The loss to the government attributable to each defendant's conduct was approximately $14,000.
The defendants and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea
agreement Ondrik and Y amatani will each be sentenced to a term ofprobation and ordered to
pay a fine of$28,000. In addition, each defendant will be required to pay $14,000 in
restitution to the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day has scheduled
sentencing for June 19,2013 at 2:30p.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and DOC OIG for their work in
the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam K. Ake and Robert K.
Hur, who are prosecuting the case.