Administrative Investigation Abuse of Authority, Misuse of Position and Resources, Acceptance of Gratuities, & Interference with an OIG Investigation National Programs & Special Events

We substantiated that Ms. Diane Hartmann, Director of National Programs & Special Events, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, misused official time and travel; failed to properly record compensatory time; and improperly used hundreds of hours of unauthorized compensatory leave. She also interfered with an OIG investigation when she destroyed evidence, allowed a subordinate to destroy evidence, made a false theft report, allowed a subordinate to file an erroneous theft report, attempted to have a subordinate destroy emails, asked a second to withhold material information, and tried to coerce a third by threatening exposure of a personal indiscretion. Further, she accepted, and allowed a subordinate to accept, gratuities from a prohibited source, and she circumvented acquisition requirements. We found that XXXXX misused his official time and travel, interfered with an OIG investigation, made false statements, and misused VA computer systems for improper activities; XXXXX interfered with an OIG investigation and made false statements; XXXXX destroyed evidence; and Mr. Daniel C. Devine, Special Assistant to the Acting Under Secretary for Health, interfered with an OIG investigation when he told Ms. Hartmann that she was under investigation and made false statements.