CONFLICT OF INTEREST

March 03, 2017 |  Investigative Summaries

We initiated an investigation into allegations that an Amtrak employee had an undisclosed personal relationship with an employee of an Amtrak contractor, inappropriately steered company contracts to that contractor, and obligated company funds without authorization. In addition, sources alleged that the employee falsified her employment application by misrepresenting professional certifications that she held; disclosed sensitive information to a third party; abused the company’s telework policy; and misused her company-issued computer and cell phone.

Our investigation revealed that, from 2012 through 2016, the employee and contractor’s employee did, in fact, have a personal relationship and engaged in a pattern of behavior to ensure that work was awarded to the contractor without the company’s full knowledge of their relationship. Our investigation also found that the employee approved $445,000 in purchase requisitions for the contractor and improperly obligated approximately $80,000 of company funds to the contractor without authority or proper approval. 
 

Tracking Number
OIG-I-2017-507