Email Details Concerns About BLM Credit Card Abuse

An internal email from the Bureau of Land Management’s deputy director discusses his concerns about credit card abuse and possible time-card fraud in the agency’s Western state offices.

Michael Pool’s memo was sent to state directors of BLM offices in Utah, California, Idaho and Nevada, and obtained by the Deseret News.

Prosecutors have described a former BLM employee using government credit cards to buy designer luggage and rifle scopes for personal use.

At least two former Utah BLM employees have pleaded guilty to theft and embezzlement in federal court.

Utah BLM office director Juan Palma says the alleged abuses were really just improper billing and that no one profited personally.

Tom Gorey, a BLM spokesman in Washington, said Pool’s email puts state managers on notice to correct the problem.

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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com