Allegations Concerning Ethics Violations at the Bonneville Power Administration
September 26, 2024
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September 23, 2024
Allegations Concerning Ethics Violations at the Bonneville Power Administration
In December 2023, the Office of Inspector General received two allegations of ethics concerns at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Specifically, the allegations stated that a BPA Senior Vice President violated ethics policies by: (1) giving gifts to BPA executives, and (2) inappropriately using BPA’s skilled craft and trade personnel to fabricate personalized gifts for BPA executives.
We initiated this inspection to determine the facts and circumstances regarding alleged ethics violations at BPA.
We did not substantiate the allegations that a BPA Senior Vice President violated ethics policies by: (1) giving gifts to BPA executives, and (2) inappropriately using BPA’s skilled crafts and trades personnel to fabricate personalized gifts for BPA executives. Specifically, we determined that the desk organizers did not qualify as gifts under Federal regulations; were considered organizational honorary awards under BPA’s recognition program; and the Senior Vice President had the authority to create and distribute these awards.
This report does not contain recommendations or suggested actions; therefore, no management response was required.