June 16, 2018

Review of Allegations Against a Department of Energy’s Office Of Intelligence and Counterintelligence Senior Official

The Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (Intelligence) is responsible for intelligence activities throughout the Department.  Intelligence, a part of the United States Intelligence Community, performs critical functions that directly support the Department and the mission of the United States.  Information collected, provided, and protected by Intelligence may be classified.

In July 2016, the Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging unethical acts by an Intelligence senior official.  The complainant alleged that the senior official had inappropriately: (1) transmitted classified information on an unclassified system; (2) awarded Government contracts to friends; and (3) directed or influenced a contractor to hire a relative.  We initiated this inspection to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations. 

We did not substantiate the allegations.  Specifically, we did not identify any evidence that the senior official transmitted classified information on an unclassified system.  Further, we did not substantiate the allegation that the senior official had awarded Government contracts to friends.  Finally, we did not substantiate the allegation that the senior official directed or influenced a contractor to hire a relative.

Because the allegations were not substantiated, we have no recommendations or suggested actions.  However, during the course of this review, we identified potential concerns regarding Intelligence’s reporting and documenting of security incidents.  We will be reviewing these concerns under a separate report. 

Topic: Human Resources