OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
March 31, 2021
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
Mr. Ryan Jackson, Senior Executive Service
and
Mr. Charles Munoz, GS-15
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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OI-HQ-2018-ADM-0130
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
MR. RYAN JACKSON, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE
FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF, OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
MR. CHARLES MUNOZ, GS-15
FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR, REGION 9
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
I. Introduction and Summary
Complaint Origin and Allegations
On May 14, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General
received a complaint The complaint stated tliat.f
seemed to suggest a possible arrangement for the Agency to pay an
left federal service. T
(b) (6), (
to the EPA email address of MrRvanJackson, then-chief of staff in the EPA's Office of the
Administrator. In the email,wrote, "Also, I haven't got paid yet, usually I get paid on
Thursday. I just wanted to see if something has changed since our conversation about being paid a
few months." Mr. Jackson responded on the same day, "Actually, let me know if it doesn't come
through by Tuesday. That's apparently the actual pay dateforthisperiod. We have not put in any
paperwork on you so no one is aware of any actions." email was sent 22 days after
IterminatedHj employment.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
Dining our investigation into the complaint concerning
(b) (6), (b) (7KC)
we identified
(b) (6), (b) (7){C)
¦
as
having received pay and benefits We
expanded our investigation to examine the facts and circumstances suirounJuig tTie payments
made to 1(31131191111(9! afterH termination from the EPA.
Based on information that we received from a source on August 27, 2018, about Mr. Charles
Munoz, senior advisor to the regional administrator for EPA Region 9 in San Francisco,
California, we initiated a subsequent investigation concerning potential tlme-and-a11endance
fraud. Before being transferred to EPA Region 9, Mr. Munoz served as the EPA's White House
liaison and reported to Mr. Jackson.
During our investigation into the complaint concerning Mr. Munoz, Mr. Jackson told us in a
voluntary interview that it was his decision to select Mr. Munoz to be the "chief of staff' for the
Region 9 regional administr ator. Although the main office for EPA Region 9 is in San Francisco,
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Mi". Jackson authorized Mi-. Munoz to work from Las Vegas, Nevada, where EPA Region 9 did
not have a satellite office. Mr. Jackson stated that Mr. Munoz was originally from Las Vegas and
wanted to be closer to where he was from. We expanded our investigation to examine the facts
and circumstances surrounding Mr. Munoz's transfer.
If substantiated, the allegations in the above complaints and the matters that we determined
required investigation had the potential to violate federal and state criminal laws, federal
regulations, and EPA standards.
Scope and Methodology of the Investigations
Dining our investigation, we interviewed:
• Mr. Ryan Jackson.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
• Mr. Charles Munoz.
• Other witnesses—including EPA
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
who had information about the allegations or who were identified as
potentially having knowledge relevant to the investigation.
On the matters relating to we received and examined
government-issued laptops, official emails, personnel records, and supporting documents. In
addition, we reviewed applicable federal and state laws, as well as EPA policies and procedures.
As for the matter concerning Mr. Munoz and his position in EPA Region 9, we examined:
• Official emails.
• Phone records for Mr. Munoz's government-issued cell phone.
• Phone records for Mr. Munoz's personal cell phone.
• Financial records.
• Pay system records.
• Facility access records.
• Computer log entries.
• Personnel files.
• Other supporting documents.
We seived subpoenas and search warrants to obtain records concerning Mr. Munoz. In addition,
we reviewed applicable federal laws and regulations, as well as EPA policies and procedures.
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Conclusions
We substantiated the allegation that there was an arrangement made by Mr. Jackson for the
EPA to continue to afterwas terminated from the Agency. This
arrangement was implemented with the assistance of Mr. Munoz. We found that Mr. Jackson
and Mr. Munoz made a similar arrangement to pay after J termination.
Mr. Jackson and Mr. Munoz, who acted at the direction of Mr. Jackson, made and used
official timesheets and personnel forms that contained materially false, fictitious, and
fraudulent statements and representations to mislead EPA personnel and to facilitate
continued payments to ||. The combined loss to the EPA
from these improper payments was $37,913.23.
Mr. Munoz's Appointment to Senior Advisor Included an Improper Pay Increase
We determined that the pay increase associated with Mr. Munoz's appointment as senior
advisor to the regional administrator for EPA Region 9 was improper. When Mr. Jackson
requested that Mr. Munoz be appointed to the new senior advisor position, Mr. Jackson
provided Mr. Munoz with a general-schedule four-step increase to GS-15, Step 10. Pursuant
to federal law, regulation, and EPA policy, when a federal employee is appointed to a new
position at the same grade level without a break in service, an increase in step is not
permitted. No justification had been given to support the increase. By providing Mr. Munoz
with a four-step increase, the Agency allowed for a loss to the government of $40,575.11,
which is the total pay differential of the improper pay increase from the date of appointment
through November 7, 2020.
Mr. Munoz Committed Time-and-Attendance Misconduct by Not Recording Absences From His
Official Duty Station
We identified evidence to support the conclusion that Mr. Munoz committed time-and-
attendance misconduct. Mr. Munoz lied the deputy regional
administrator for EPA Region 9 and the approving official for Mr. Munoz's time for the
duration of the investigation, about his whereabouts and submitted fraudulent timesheets to
receive pay for hours when he was not present at his official duty station. The total loss to the
EPA in wages paid for Mr. Munoz's misconduct is $46,607.08. Mr. Munoz also accrued 56
hours of annual leave, worth $4,271.68, and another 56 hours of sick leave, worth $4,271.68
during the period in question. The total loss to the government for Mr. Munoz's misconduct
is $55,150.44.
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II. Background
Organization
The EPA chief of staff is assigned to the Office of the Administrator and provides executive
support for the EPA administrator. The Office of the Administrator supports the leadership of the
EPA's programs and activities to protect human health and the environment.
The White House liaison is assigned to the Office of the Administrator and serves as the
Agency's liaison to the White House on confidential and sensitive matters regarding personnel
and related issues.
The main office for EPA Region 9, which covers the Pacific Southwest of the United States, is in
San Francisco. EPA Region 9 also has satellite offices located in Los Angeles, California;
San Diego, California; and Honolulu, Hawaii. EPA Region 9 encompasses Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands. The regional administrator's official duty station is in
the San Francisco office. The senior advisor to the regional administrator is a position reporting
directly to the EPA regional administrator. The deputy regional administrator served as the
approving official for Mr. Munoz's timesheets.
During the time of this investigation, the Las Vegas Finance Center was part of the EPA's Office
of the Chief Financial Officer, which is located in Washington, D.C. Although located in EPA
Region 9, the Las Vegas Finance Center was not considered a regional satellite office. The EPA
officially closed the Office of the Chief Financial Officer's Las Vegas space in March 2020.
Mr. Ryan Jackson
Mr. Jackson began serving as the EPA chief of staff in February 2017. As the chief of staff, he
reported to the EPA deputy administrator.
Mr. Jackson left government service in February 2020.
Mr. Charles Munoz
Mr. Munoz began his career at the EPA in January 2017 as the White House liaison within the
EPA's Office of the Administrator. In this capacity, he reported to Mr. Jackson. In May 2018,
Mr. Jackson:
• Appointed Mr. Munoz as the senior advisor to the regional administrator for EPA Region 9.
• Approved Mr. Munoz's transfer to Las Vegas.
As the senior advisor to the regional administrator, Mr. Munoz's duties included:
• Developing strategies for the regional administrator's outreach to local elected officials.
• Developing and implementing EPA Region 9's community outreach programs.
• Strategizing to engage agriculture.
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• Acting as the point of contact for EPA administrator visits to EPA Region 9.
• Handling any inquiries received by EPA Region 9 involving the White House.
Mr. Mimoz reported then-regional administrator for EPA Region 9, from
May 2018 to February 2020. Mr^Mimo^lso continued receiving assignments from Mr. Jackson
for an unknown period of time after his transfer. Since February 2020, Mr. Munoz reported to
[taiamamita: then-regional administrator for EPA Region 9. While serving in this position,
Mr. Munoz also seived as the EPA Region 9 chief of staff on a rotating basis. Mr. Munoz
separated from the EPA on January 20, 2021.
;b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
Analysis of the Allegations
and I
(b) (6), (b) 7 C HBI b 6 , (b) 7 C
Complaint
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C
The complaint alleged that emails sent between Mr. Jackson and
I suggested there was an arrangement for the EPA to continue to pay
[after was terminated from the Aaencv. During our investigation, we
l "entiEIe3 another former EPA employee,who continued to receive pay
and benefits after H separation fr om the EPA]
(b) (6), (b) (7)(Ci
"(b) (6), (b) (7)(C
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Chronology of Significant Events
Tables 1 and 2 list the significant events related to this investigation.
Table 1. Chronology of significant events relative to j
| informed Mr. Jackson that I
"just wanted to see if something has cnanged since our conversation at
paid a few months."
Mr. Jackson told^^|H|H to leUiin^now if the pay did not come through by
1 "" tq stated. "We have not put in any
:-a[jipT'o?r"^-'n^u^mio one is awa^^Hany actions."
informed Mr. Jackson that
1r. Jackson asked Mr. Munoz to help'
Bstill had not received a paycheck,
"track this down."
Mr. Munoz emailed an amended time-and-attendance report fori
HRPayHelp. The amended report stated thatH fimesheet for tne previous pay
period was mistakenly entered and needed tc^Ee corrected.
Mr. Munoz informed
added to v^gr n§#t.£avchec
12017 • told Mr. Jackson and Mr. Munoz that
periods.
Mr. Jackson forwarded
had not been paid for two pay
, askei
Mr. Munoz
asked whether
le EPA sincef^jj^^^^r. Munoz responded
affirmatively
Mr. Jackson signed, and Mr. Munoz submitted amended timesheets for pay
periods H
claimed tnat^^^^^^worKe^plsoai^eTewo^^Bowever^^^^M told us*hat
' performecnT^orK for the EPA afterM employment endec^n
, 2017 • Mr. Jackson and Mr. Munoz signed and submittedpHHHJ^tandard Form 51- or
SF-52, Request for Personnel Action," falsely declann^naT^M had resigned.
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** An SF-52 is used by federal supervisors and managers to request (1) position actions, such as the
establishment of a new position or the reclassification of an existing position; (2) employee actions, such as the
appointment of an employee or the promotion of an employee; and (3) actions involving both a position and an
employee, such as the establishment and filling of a position or the reclassification of a position and
reassignment of an employee to the reclassified position. Employees use the form to notify an agency of their
resignation or retirement, to request leave without pay, or to request a name change. Personnel offices use the
SF-52 to record staffing, classification, and other personnel determinations, and then use the information on the
SF-52 to prepare a corresponding Notifications of Personnel Action.
Table 2. Chronology of significant events relative to
Mr. Munoz advisee
wanted
|to immediately resign. Mr. Munoz said he was authorized to
providewith two months of severance pay
refused t^Igrun^esignation paperwork.!
out of the buildinq.
irOviHp wupr^nrp.nav to
acfee to resign.
2018, to
J. 2018
i approximately)
, security guard later escortec
Mr. Munoz told us that Mr. Jackson authorized him to |
on the condition thatj^
Mr. Munoz, at the direction of Mr. Jackson, entered and approved
[time in the EPA's timekeeping :ystem for the pay periods
I I MM 'r|l|' II Cj8
had resigned.'
saidne tried to help
avoid a break in service?
1 Mr. jacKson
on the payroll to
Termination o|
Before re rminatwjl
mm* laptop computer, keys, badge, and phone upon~||^
termination. Mr. Munoz also offered to join the meeting or to sit outside the meeting to
collect the items. Mr. Munoz admitted that one of his responsibilities was to complete the
1 Prior to Mr. Jackson's interview on December 18. 2019, OIG special agents gave Mr. Jackson the Kalkines
warning. This warning advised Mr. Jackson that he was compelled to cooperate in the interview and that any
information he provided would not be used against him in a criminal proceeding. A Kalkines warning protects an
employee from prosecution. See Kalkines v. United States. All F.2d 1391 (Ct. CI. 1973).
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paperwork and to collect Agency-issued equipment upon an employee's termination. He
explained that processing an employee's termination normally involves immediately
collecting Agency-issued property.
(b) (6), (b) (7XC)
On
EPA
During this meeting,
because I"
(b) (6), (b) (7)(Ci
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
m
(b) (6), (b) (7XC|
V) \p), vi
teniiination from the
being terminated
1(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
Federal law does not permit the issuance of severance pay
|. In a voluntary interview, Mr. Jackson admitte d to us that he knew severance pa\
was not allowed.
After the^^^^ 2017 meetin^^^H^^P escorted office to
collect ^¦personal belongings. ^^^^^¦left^BEPA-issued comjjute^n^^desk and gave
EPA-issued personal ldentit^venncation canHmd phone to I
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
escorted
r
from the EPA building.
Later that day, Mr. Jackson sent an email to his sta ff. stating,
He also sent an email the same day informing
that
teniiination was also reflected
I, which contained a note next to ^^^^^^Hnamethat read "TERMINATION
[72017." Mr. Munoz confirmed thatthe^^^^^^^^Haccuiately reflected
employment status with the EPA. During the investigation,
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (O(CJ)
b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
EPA
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
also confimied to usthat^B did not perform work for the
When we asked
about^^H. 2017
iwsb
why believed was fired.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C), (b) (5)
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
explained that, on oi
On December 18, 2018. in a voluntary interview,
arriving
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
told us that prior to
[b) (6), (b) (7)(C
.(b) (6), (b) (7)(C
|(b) (b), (b)(0(O
-(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)[
stated
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that when
Oil July 24, 2019, in a voluntary interview, Mr. Jackson was asked wh>
filed. In response, Mr. Jackson replied,
Continued Salaried Payments and Benefits for
After
Termination
2017, 22 days after|H| was terminated, emailed Mr. Jackson
from^Bpersonal email account, informing him that^H had not gotten paid.
wrote, "Also I haven't got paid yet, usually I get paid on Thursday. I just wanted to see if
something has changed sinceoureonversation about beinepaid a few months." Inhis^
response Mr. Jackson told|.^^^^H to let him know ifH| did not get paidbvB
2017, the actual pay date^M^fa ckson said in an email to ^^^^^¦tuaFHve5
had not pu tm"anvpap erwork'' "so no one was aware of any actions." Four
days later, emailed Mi". Jackson again, writing, "I still haven't received my
paycheck yet" That same day, Mr. Jackson forwarded the email to Mr. Munoz, requesting
that Mr. Munoz "track this down." In a voluntary interview, Mr. Munoz admitted that
Mr. Jackson told him to ensure receivedsalaried payments after had been
terminated.
Onm^m 2017,^^^^m emailed Mr. Jackson and Mr. Munoz to inform them that
| still had not been paid for the previous pay period. Mr. Jackson then sent an email to
Mr. Munoz and
"I need this done. I promised
Mr. Jackson^however, told us that he did not promise anything
forwarded Mr. Jackson's email toT
that same day jHWlHy|j wrote, "Can you please check into thi^ have no information.
First I heard.in a voluntary interview, told us that^P did not remember
responding to Mr. Jack on's request or receiving further information fromon
Mr. Jackson's request.
(b) (6), (b) (7)((
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On the same
asked IVli. Miuioz,'
advised that, stopped working at the EPA on
have been paid for the two pay periods covering
2017. Mr. Munoz responded.
asked Mr. Munoz whether j
responded affirmatively.
(b)<
[6)» (b)
1
2017,|
2017, through
would not
had been working at the EPA since
In a voluntanjnterview, Mr. Munoz told us that he and Mr. Jackson had "figured out" how
to getf^^^^f paid after U termination. Mr. Munoz explained that the "fix," which he
believed was Mr, Jackson's idea, was to tell the EPA's Human Resources Management
Division that was on an extended telework schedule so that^j would receive
pay through 2017. Mr. Munoz explained that he believed Mr. Jackson would not
be happy if he had not followed Mr. Jackson's order to get additional pay for J
afterI termination.
Mr. Munoz completed amended time-and-at tendance reports^^iJ|Hifi||j|Aj|||B| for pay
periodscovering2017, thiouah[^BJ|JBy2017. In these
amended reports, Mr. Munoz falsely stated that jjJjBjJjH^voikedepisodic telework" for
the entirety of two pay periods, with the exceptionoTonlHiolidav. In a voluntary interview,
Mr. Munoz admitted to us that at the time he aineiided|^8|^BfiS time-and-attendance
reports, he knew the continued payments made to wrong and were
potentially theft against the government.
Mr. Jackson signed in the "Supervisor Approval" field on both amended reports. In doing so,
the reports required Mr. Jackson to "certify that the time and attendance reported ... [was]
collect and [was] authorized in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations."
Mr. Jackson admitted to us that he had, in fact, signed both of the amended reports. The
amended reports did not have a date field to indicate when Mr. Jackson signed the reports.
In two separate interviews, Mr. Jackson admitted knowing that he had approved the EPA
payingafter termination from the Agency on2017. On July 24,
2019, MOackson stated, "I didn't want to just, you know, tenninateBB drop^J There
was a need for us to—to have some kind of transition, knew that, H| dkHhat." Later in
that same interview, we asked Mr. Jackson, "Can stay on the payroll ifUj no longer
actually working here?" Mr. Jackson replied, "It's what I chose to do." Mr. Jackson also
stated, "You know, I wanted a transition period. I didn't think it was really fair to^| what
was going down. ... I wanted to be helpful to I
On December 18, 2019, Mr. Jackson
from the EPA because he wanted
lained thatj^^^^J continued to receive pa\
be "available" if he needed to contactF
Mr. Jackson further stated "That's what I
did. If you guys want to write something bad up about it and send it to
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then-associate deputy administrator for the EPA] and send it to [then-Administrator Andrew]
Wheeler, knock yourself out, but that's what I did."
on or about
resigned on
2017. In this SF-52,
2017. Mr. Munoz also
Mr. Munoz submitted an SF-52 for
Mr. Munoz falsely stated that
signed the SF-52 and wrote 9{H| af ter his signature, while Mr. Jackson signed for himself
in the "Action Requested By" field and for then-Administrator
Authorized By" field. Mr. Jackson admitted that he signed the I
without permission, and falsely stating in the SF-52 that I
the EPA on^^^^^H, 2017. Mr. Munoz explained to us that his actions were taken at the
direction of Mr. Jackson.
.2017 SF-52. hi
th^SE^52 foij
Hi
When we interviewed |
addition, Mr. Munoz admitted thatj
behalf. Furthermore,
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
stated that was terminated In
did not authorize him t^sign^^S^^2 on j
told us that ¦ believed Mr. Jackson puiposefully
delayed sending
SF-52 to the EPA's Human Resources Management Division
so that the EPA would continue to pay^B aftei HB no longer worked at the Agency.
We confirmed that^^^^^^Hamended timesheets were processed and that
for time in pay penoos^^^^^^^^^H, which occurred between
2017. leave-and-eamings statements confirmed that
jaid a lump sum of $ 14,181.38 for 80 hours of time worked across pay periods
I, as well as all compensation elements, including Thrift Savings Plan
contributions, health insurance, social security, and flexible spending.
was paid
2017.and
was
Termination off
>) (6), (b) (7)(C)
2018, Mr. Munoz met with
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
. Also in attendance was
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
(b)(6), (b) (7)(C)
provided a detailed account of the meeting. During this
In a December 18, 2C1&
voluntary interview,
meeting, Mr. Munoz advised
f^H^QI^^^^esign from^Jposition at the EPA effective imniediatel^M^^I QOZ
also told^Ifef] . B that Mr. Munoz was authorized to provide with
r,tithc of "severance pay" Mr. Mimo^ai^haH^KHbuMlMj^Jdid not resign, |
would fail to rece Ve the severance unable to procure a
job with the feder i government. When 11v gj was being temiinated,
Mr. Munoz replie
(b) (6), (b)
)) (6), (b) (7)(C)
told us^ knew at the time of Mr. Munoz's offer that no such thing as
severance pay existed for federal employees. con finned that I
witnessed Mr. Munoz tell i01uiM01ul0i tfiat "|t]hey""
land
ttiat "{tjhey'ITmake life difficult for
won't work for the federal government." According to
^ * VVVUIUJUf,
refused to sign the resignation paperwork, instead asking Mr. Munoz
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win
was being filed.
(b) (6). (b) (7)(C)
believed Mi". Munoz was ordered to tenuiiiat
Mr. Munoz generally corroborated account of t lie 2018
meeting. He also admitted to us that it was Mr. Jackson who directed him to provide
severance pay to LUMjJKUlCiKS] on the condition that agree to resign.
Mr. Jackson told us that the EPA cannot provide severaj.w packages. B S 1; :j.
did not remember Mr. Munoz mentioning anything about a severan ce package. |
believed there was a possibility that Mr. Munoz mentioned that
might did not sign the resignation
In an inteiv iewonDecemoerllO 019 Kir Jackson stated that he tried to help
by keeping on the payroll to avoid a break in seivice.
jj, 2018 meeting, an EPA aimed contract secun tv guald escorted
"from the EPA building. At that time, [QQQ3®fflfflfl^beLeved that|
was suspended l[om the EPA because Mi. Munoz neve^fficiall^nred^B and| ne\er
resigned. On July 10, 2019, in a voluntary interview,
believed
On
on
his si
2018, Mr. Munoz signed an SF-52, falsely stating thatHSKMGttjjBBS resigned
2018. Mr. Munoz signed the SF-52 and wrote "fo< next to
ature, Furthermore, Mr. Munoz a dinitted thathe fill ed out the fom^signed it for
. and falsely reported th;: resiSoec' onJ^^^H 2018.
Mr. Jackson also signed the SF-52 for then-Administrator Pruitt as the official who requested
and authorized the action on^^^f 2018. Mr. Jackson confirmed that the signatures on the
SF-52 were his. The first signature is in Block 5 of the SF-52, "Action Requested By (Typed
Name, Title, Signature, and Request Date)" with Mr. Jackson's name typed into the block
and a signature over it. The second signature can be found in Block 6 of the SF-52, "Action
Authorized by {Typed Name, title, signature, and Concurrence Date)," with former
Administrator Pniitt's name typed into the block and Mr. Jackson's signature over it. In an
2018 email to EPA's Human
and Human Resources
isned 52 for•
Per my conversation with J resignation is effective ^J|/l 8." ^^^^^^^^ytold
us that | never agreed to resign, never signed an SF-52, and did not authorize anyone to sign
an SF-52 onH behalf.
Resources Management Division
Management Division, Mr. Munoz wrote, "Attached is the si
Continued Salaried Payments for I
;b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
After ¦ Termination
On^^^^H 2018, more than one month after [(DIG)M0IliM refused to resign and was
escorted from the EPA building, Mr. Munoz, at th^Urectioi^^fr- Jackson, entered and
approved 80 hours of work and holiday pay for ^or Per*oc® |
in
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PeoplePlus, the EPA's official timekeeping system. Mr. Muiioz infonned xis that he never
took any personnel actions unilaterally without being instructed to do so by Mr. Jackson or
the administrator. He believed that Mr. Jackson directed him to pay
because J _ ^ trie leave-anu-
eamiiias statements forUUlSffiQMffiBOon}a^enod^jjjj|j|j| which confirmed that J
Iwas paid j^KH^^^(Hi^alaiy for 80 hours of work for each pay period.
In addition, on December 18. 2019 Mr. Jackson told us that [mSmmHiffl was removed
because In the same
interview, Mr. Jackson also stated that for a period of time, he was trying to helpl
I by getting placed with another federal agency and by keeping on the
payroll to avoid a "break in service.'
i
confirmed
2018. From
a total o
LiedthatHdid not performany work for the EPA aftei
BHfli 2018, toM 2018, the EPA paid
o^23J^R5 in pay an^enents.
Mr. Charles Munoz
Complaint
Based on information about Mr. Munoz that we received from a source on August 27, 2018,
we initiated an investigation concerning potential time-and-attendance fraud. During our
investigation, we identified information concerning Mr. Munoz's transfer to Las Vegas that
required further review. We expanded our investigation to examine the facts and
circumstances surrounding his transfer.
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Chronology of Significant Events
Table 3 lists significant events related to this investigation.
Table 3. Chronology of significant events relative to Mr. Munoz
Mr. Charles Munoz
Date
Event
May8, 2018
•
Mr. Jackson submitted an SF-52 to the EPA's Human Resources Management Division
to create the new position of senior advisor to the regional administrator, with an official
duty station in Las Vegas. Mr. Munoz was identified as the person designated for the
position.
May 15, 2018
•
Mr. Munoz was recorded as having arrived in the Las Vegas area and accessing the Las
Veqas Finance Center.
May 17,2018
•
Mr. Munoz attested his timesheet for the pay period of May 27, 2018, to June 9, 2018, for
71 regular hours worked and nine holiday hours.
May 21, 2018
•
¦, an EPA human resources specialist, coordinated with Mr. Munoz on the
propose^ftective date of Mr. Munoz's reassignment. Mr. Munoz concurred with the
effective date of May 27, 2018.
May 25, 2018
•
Mr. Munoz attested his timesheet for the pay period of June 10, 2018, to June 23, 2018,
that he performed 80 regular hours of work.
May 27,2018
#
Mr. Munoz officially began as the senior advisor to the regional administrator for EPA
Region 9.
June 4, 2018
#
1 the deputy regional administrator for EPA Region 9 and the approving official
ro^^vunoz's time, emailed Mr. Munoz to suggest that, because of his remote duty
•
station, she required him to report to her what his work schedule was for each pay period
prior to his timesheet being approved.
Mr. Munoz attested his timesheet for the pay period of June 24, 2018, to July 7, 2018, for
71 regular hours worked, and nine holiday hours.
July 5, 2018
#
Mr. Munoz attested his timesheets for the pay periods of:
o July 8, 2018, to July 21, 2018, for 80 regular hours worked,
o July 22, 2018, to August 4. 2018. for 80 regular hours worthed.
August 15,
2018
#
Mr. Munoz attested his timesheets for the pay periods of:
o August 5, 2018, to August 18, 2018, for 80 regular hours worked,
o August 19, 2018, to September 1. 2018, for 80 regular hours worked,
o September 2, 2018, to September 15, 2018, for 71 regular hours worked and
nine holiday hours.
September 4,
2018
•
Mr. Munoz attested his timesheets for the pay periods of:
o September 16, 2018, to September 29, 2018, for 80 regular hours worked,
o September 30, 2018, to October 13, 2018, for 71 regular hours worked and
nine holiday hours.
Mr. Munoz's Appointment as Senior Advisor and Transfer to Las Vegas
On May 8, 2018, Mr. Jackson submitted an SF-52 and other documentation to the EPA's
Human Resources Management Division to create the position of senior advisor to the
regional administrator for EPA Region 9, job series 0301 3 The position was designated as a
3 The U.S. Office of Personnel Management occupational series 0301. Miscellaneous Administration and Progr am
Series, includes positions the duties of which are to perform, supervise, or manage nonprofessional, two-grade
interval work for which no other series is appropriate. The work requires analytical ability, judgment, discretion, and
knowledge of a substantial body of administrative or program principles, concepts, policies, and objectives.
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GS-15, Step 10. Mr. Jackson identified Mr. Munoz as the person selected for the position.
Mr. Jackson signed as the requestor and for the authorizing official, then-Administrator Pruitt.
On May 21, 2018, Mr. Munoz received a memorandum from^^^^^| a human resources
specialist with the Human Resources Management Division, confirming Mr. Munoz's
conversion to a new Schedule C appointment as the senior advisor to the regional
administrator for EPA Region 9, GS-0301-15, Step 10, with an official duty station of
Las Vegas. The effective date of Mr. Munoz's appointment was May 27, 2018.
Mr. Munoz received a four-step increase when he converted from his GS-0301-15, Step 6
White House liaison appointment in Washington, D.C., to a new GS-0301-15, Step 10
Schedule C appointment as a senior advisor to the EPA Region 9 regional administrator with
an official duty station of Las Vegas, Nevada. The annual salary in 2018 for a GS-0301-15,
Step 6, with a locality adjustment for Washington, D.C., was $157,253. An employee at the
same GS-0301-15, Step 6 level with the Las Vegas locality adjustment earned $142,867
annually in 2018, approximately $14,000 less than the Washington, D.C.-based position.
However, a GS-0301-15, Step 10 position with locality adjustment for Las Vegas was
$159,194 per annum in 2018. The four-step increase enabled Mr. Munoz to receive a salary
in Las Vegas that was comparable to what he had earned in Washington, D.C.
In a voluntary interview, we asked Mr. Jackson about Mr. Munoz's appointment as the senior
advisor to the EPA Region 9 regional administrator. Mr. Jackson told us that it was his
decision to select Mr. Munoz for the position and to allow Mr. Munoz to work from
Las Vegas. He explained that "they" try to put political appointees in other regional positions
because it would be helpful to the offices. Mr. Jackson also said that Mr. Munoz was
originally from Las Vegas and was interested in doing something new and closer to where he
was from.
Mr. Munoz's Receipt of a Four-Step Pay Increase
As discussed above, on May 8, 2018, Mr. Jackson signed an SF-52 that was submitted to the
EPA's Human Resources Management Division. The SF-52 requested that Mr. Munoz be
converted to the position of senior advisor to the regional administrator for EPA Region 9, at
the GS-15, Step 10, pay level. Mr. Jackson did not cite any pay-setting authority that would
permit this four-step pay increase nor was any other justification provided. A human
resources specialist for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, explained to us
that the information documented on an SF-52 is entered into an electronic system and a
Form 1019, Request for Schedule C Appointing Authority, is generated.4 Mr. Munoz's
proposed appointment was a Schedule C position, which is a type of political appointment.
The appointment required advance approval from the White House Presidential Personnel
Office and theOPM^ccordingto^^^^|, the Form 1019 was supposed to have been
provided the EPA's then-acting deputy White House liaison.
4 Schedule C positions are excepted from the competitive service because they have policy-determining
responsibilities or require the incumbent to serve in a close and confidential working relationship with the head of an
agency or other key appointed official.
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was supposed to provide the Form 1019 to the White House Presidential
Personnel Office for review and approval. signature can be found on the
Form 1019, approving Mr. Munoz's new position. The request for appointing authority was
reviewed and approved by the OPM on May 10, 2018.
The Form 1019 that the OPM reviewed included information identifying Mr. Munoz as the
proposed candidate, as well as the proposed position's title, grade and step, and location. The
foim did not indicate that Mr. Munoz was a current federal employee, nor did it include
information identifying Mr. Munoz's current grade and step. According to
an OPM senior human resources specialist, the OPM does not conduct any independent
research to deteimine whether the proposed pay identified on a Form 1019 has been properly
determined. Rather, the OPM relies upon the requesting agency to properly determine the
pay in accordance with the law and the requesting agency's pay policy. Therefore, the OPM
approval provided for Mr. Munoz's appointment to a senior advisor did not include a review
of whether his appointment was made at the correct step.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
EPA's Human Resources Management Division, informed
us that m February were responsible for executing hirings, transfers,
and certain other personneunatter^o^olitical appointees. further explained that
when Mr. Jackson requested the new appointment for Mr. Munoz, the staff of the EPA's
Human Resources Management Division lacked experience with political appointee matters
and did not understand what actions they could take regarding proposed appointments.
I told us that he determined that the new position created for Mr. Munoz and the
associated four-step increase appeared "irregular," but they were unable to identify any
regulation prohibiting the pay increase. Therefore, in keeping with the Agency's past practice
of granting step increases when political appointees were reassigned and the OPM's approval
of Mr. Munoz's appointment, the EPA's Human Resources Management Division permitted
both the appointment and the increase to take effect.^^^^^^^^^^^^^H told us that
they assumed the OPM reviewed the proposed pay for Mr. Munoz prior to granting approval.
We determined through our research and inteiview with^^^^^J that federal regulations
require that when a federal employee is appointed to a new position at the same grade level
without a break in seivice, an increase in step is not permitted.5 Therefore, when Mr. Munoz
was appointed to the senior advisor position, he should have remained a GS-15, Step 6, the
same pay level he had during his tenure as the White House liaison.
By authorizing Mr. Munoz's appointment to a GS-0301-15, Step 10 position, the EPA
allowed for a loss to the government of $40,575.11, which is the total pay differential of the
improper pay increase from the date of appointment through November 7, 2020. After this
5 As provided in 5 C.F.R. § 531.213, "[f]or an employee who is moved laterally (by transfer, reassignment, change
in type of appointment, change in official worksite, or other change in position) from one GS position to a different
GS position without a change in grade or break in seivice. the agency must determine the employee's payable rate of
basic pay and any underlying rate(s) of basic pay based on the employee's new position of record, new official
worksite, and the step ... in effect before the position change."
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date, Mr. Munoz was transitioned to the Senior Level pay scale until his resignation on
January 20, 2021.
Mr. Munoz's Work Schedule and Telework Status
Mr. Munoz began working at his official duty station, the Las Vegas Finance Center, prior to
his May 27, 2018 start date as the senior advisor to the regional administrator for EPA
Region 9. During the pay period covering May 13, 2018, to May 26, 2018, while he still had
the official title of White House liaison, Mr. Munoz accessed the Las Vegas Finance Center.
During this pay period, he also traveled on official business from Las Vegas.
After starting as the senior advisor to the regional administrator, Mr. Munoz worked a
compressed work schedule. However, he was still required to complete 80 hours of work per
pay period. A compressed work schedule allows an employee to opt for a workday exceeding
eight hours, resulting in the completion of 80 hours of work in fewer than the standard ten
workdays. Compressed work schedules are authorized by the employee's supervisor.
Mr. Munoz's compressed two-week work schedule consisted of nine hours each Monday
through Thursday, eight hours on the first Friday, and the second Friday off. In a voluntary
interview, Mr. Munoz described to us his normal workday as beginning around 5:30 a.m. and
finishing between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
EPA Order 3110.32, Telework Policy, requires an employee to complete both a telework
agreement for the supervisor's approval and training on telework before participating in the
Agency's telework program. Mr. Munoz stated that he had an approved telework agreement
during his time as the White House liaison. In a voluntary interview, Mr. Munoz made claims
to us that he was "pretty sure" he had submitted a telework agreement to EPA Region 9 and
agreed to provide us with a copy. Mr. Munoz never provided us with a copy of his telework
agreement.
The EPA Region 9 Human Resources Office confirmed that Mr. Munoz did not have a
Mr. Munoz on June 4, 2018, stating, "Because your work location is Las Vegas, I suggest
you send me an email each pay period (say, at the same time you complete your time card,
e.g., Wednesday or Thursday of the second week) letting me know what your work schedule
was for that period (e.g., M-F 8 hour days). If I'm in the system as your time approver, I will
also receive any leave requests, which should be straightforward."
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Mr. Munoz's Inaccurate Time-and-Attendance Records
Mr. Munoz admitted to EPA OIG special agents that he knew:
• He was responsible for submitting accurate information in PeoplePlus.
• How PeoplePlus worked, and when and how to request and take leave.
• His supervisor would not have authorized him to telework for extended periods.
Despite this knowledge, Mr. Munoz continued to lie about his location during times he
attested to working regular hours, as submitted in PeoplePlus.
There are 15 pay periods that fall between May 27, 2018, and December 22, 2018. For each
pay period, Mr. Munoz attested to and submitted his time and attendance in PeoplePlus.
Of his 15 pay-period submissions to PeoplePlus, Mr. Munoz provided false information for
14. In his submission of his timesheets in PeoplePlus, Mr. Munoz claimed that he worked
either nine- or eight-hour workdays according to his compressed work schedule. Prior to
Mr. Munoz's submission of each time card in PeoplePlus, he was required to acknowledge
the following:
I attest that I have read the information provided on the Login Screen of
PeoplePlus and understand the consequences to knowingly or intentionally
submitting false information in a government timecard.
To determine whether Mr. Munoz reported to his official duty station on the days he attested
to working, we gathered and reviewed information from various sources to account for
Mr. Munoz's activities. The information, which we list in Appendix A, included access
badge data, computer log entries, timesheets, cell phone data, emails, travel and financial
documents, and personal appointments. An analysis of the information allowed us to
determine whether Mr. Munoz was at his official duty station on his scheduled workdays
from May 27, 2018, through December 22, 2018. We captured each workday under one of
the following six categories, which we summarized in Table 4: (1) Full Day at the Official
Duty Station, (2) Day Not Reporting to the Official Duty Station, (3) Partial Day at the
Official Duty Station, (4) Day on Official Travel, (5) Holiday, and (6) Day on Leave. The
results are summarized in Table 4.
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Table 4. Summary of analysis
Pay Period
Year: 2018
Full Day at
the Official
Duty
Station 3
Day Not
Reporting to
the Official
Duty Station b
Partial Day at
the Official
Duty Station c
Day on
Official
Travel d
Holiday d
Day on
Leave d
5/27-6/9
7
1
1
6/10-6/23
7
2
6/24-7/7
3
1
4
1
7/8-7/21
4
5
7/22-8/4
8
1
8/5-8/18
8
1
8/19-9/1
8
1
9/2-9/15
4
4
1
9/16-9/29
6
1
2
9/30-10/13
3
5
1
10/14-10/27
4
1
4
10/28-11/10
3
4
4
11/11-11/24
5
2
2
11/25-12/8
1
1
5
1
1
12/9-12/22
3
1
1
4
Total Days:
12
64
11
38
7
3
3 If Mr. Munoz accessed the Las Vegas Finance Center or the EPA network or made calls on his EPA-issued cell
phone for what appeared to be more than four hours, he was credited with a full day of work.
b If Mr. Munoz did not access the Las Vegas FinanceCenterortheEPA network, used his cell phones away
from the Las Vegas Finance Center, attended or sent emails identifying him engaged in
places other than the Las Vegas Finance Cenfer^^as^Jetermine^i at he was not working a full day of work at
his assigned duty location.
c If Mr. Munoz accessed the Las Vegas Finance Center or the EPA network or made calls on his cell phones in
the vicinity of the Las Vegas Finance Center for more than one hour but less than four hours, he was credited
with a partial day of work, or four hours.
d Holidays, official government travel, and leave used accounted for full workdays.
To further our analysis, we developed a spreadsheet detailing the locations of activity for
Mr. Munoz's EPA-issued cell phone and personal cell i hone., I
I The activity data were also plotted
on maps. Below is an overview ot our Inklings ior the pay periods covering May 27, 2018,
through December 22, 2018, focusing on Mr. Munoz's activities during traditional
workweeks, Monday through Friday. Specifically, we found:
• Pay Period May 27-June 9, 2018, This was Mr. Munoz's first official pay period as
the senior advisor to the regional administrator for EPA Region 9. During these two
weeks, the evidence reviewed showed Mr. Munoz as not having worked from his
official duty location on seven of the nine workdays in his compressed schedule.
He was recorded entering the Las Vegas Finance Center on one workday, June 4,
2018, which the activity data we collected show was a partial workday. Specifically,
the activity data we collected for that day show that Mr. Munoz made and received
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phone calls near his residenceandengaged in minimal work email traffic. On June 6,
2018, Mr. Munoz emailedstating, "I've been in my Vegas office except
for the 24th and 25th of May when I was in the LA office (not sure if that falls under
the time period). Let me know of any questions. Thank you." For this pay period,
Mr. Munoz claimed 71 hours of regular work and nine holiday hours.
• Pay Period June 10-23, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not work
from his official duty location on seven of the nine workdays in his compressed
schedule. He was recorded as entering the Las Vegas Finance Center on two
workdays, which were identified as partialworkdays: June 11 and 15, 2018. On
June 20, 2018, Mr. Munoz emailed stating, "I've been in the Las Vegas
office for the entire pay period." He was also recorded entering the Las Vegas
Finance Center on June 22, 2018, the second Friday in the pay period, but he did not
claim to have worked any hours that day, as this would have been his day off as a
result of his normal compressed work schedule. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz
claimed 80 hours of regular work.
• Pay Period June 24-July 7, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not work
from his official duty location on three of the nine workdays in his compressed
schedule. He was on official government travel from June 26 to 29, 2018. He was
identified as being present for a partial day of work at theLasVegas Finance Center
on July 5, 2018. On July 3, 2018, Mr. Munoz emailed^^^^^^stating, "I was in
Santa Maria (Casmalia) for Wednesday and Thursday last week for the
Administrator's visit. I'll be working out of the Vegas office this week. Hope you
have a great 4th!" For this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed 71 hours of regular work
and nine holiday hours.
• Pay Period July 8-21, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not work from
his official duty location on four of the nine workdays in his compressed schedule. He
was on official government travel for five days. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz
claimed 80 hours of regular work.
Pay Period July 22-August 4, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not
work from his official duty station on eight of the nine workdays in his compressed
schedule. He was on official government travel to San Francisco on July 23, 2018.
On July 31, 2018, Mr. Munoz was found to have attended
from 8:38 a.m. to 8:57 a.m., approximately 11 miles from his official duty station. On
stating, "Outside of last week when
August 1, 2018, Mr. Munoz emailed |
I was in SF for a day, the rest of my time has been spent working out of the Las
Vegas CFO office." For this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed 80 hours of regular
work.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
• Pay Period August 5-18, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not work
from his official duty location on eight of the nine workdays in his compressed
schedule. He was found to have been present for a partial day on August 15, 2018.
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On August 16, 2018, Mr. Munoz attende
at 11:15 a.m.,
approximately 11 miles from his official duty station. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz
claimed 80 hours of regular work.
• Pay Period August 19-September 1, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did
not work from his official duty location on eight of the nine workdays in his
compressed schedule. He was found to have been present for a partial workday on
August 22, 2018. On August 23,2018, Mr. Munoz had a Department of Motor
Vehicles appointment scheduled for 9:15 a.m.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
On August 24, 2018, at 9:14 a.m.
Mr. Munoz was identified as having made or
received a phone call in Nipton, California, which is on the border of California and
Nevada. On August 27, 2018, Mr. Munoz was found to have made several phone
calls in Ventura, California. On August 29, 2018, Mr. Munoz had a second
Department of Motor Vehiclesappointment scheduled for 8:45 a.m. On August 30,
2018, Mr. Munoz emailed^^^^^f stating, "I've been working out of the Vegas
office the past 2 pay periods. For future reference, I'll be working out of HQ in DC
all next week." For this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed 80 hours of regular work.
• Pay Period September 2-15, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not
work from his official duty location on four of the nine workdays in his compressed
schedule. He was on official government travel from September 3 to 7, 2018, as
reported Mr. Munoz claimed nmehoureofholidavpay for September
3, 2018. On September 11, 2018, he attende
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On October 4, 2018, Mr. Munoz received an email from Target at3jl7pjiL to thank
himforpicking up his "item(s)." On October 9, 2018, he attended^^^|
2:45 p.m., approximately 11 miles from his official duty location. For
this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed 71 hours of regular work and nine holiday hours.
• Pay Period October 14-27, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz did not work
from his official duty location on four of the nine workdays in his compressed
schedule. He was on official government travel for four days. Mr. Munoz was found
to have been present for one partial workday on October 25, 2018. On October 17,
2018, Mr. Munoz
hone calls on his
store between
I. Phone records identify Mr. Munoz as making and receivin
personal and EPA-issued cell phones in the vicinity of the|^^_
2:24 p.m. and 2:49 p.m. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed 80 hours of regular
work.
• Pay Period October 28-November 10, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz
worked two partial workdays and two full workdays at his official duty location.
On November 6, 2018, Mr. Munoz used six hours of sick leave, and completed the
rest of his workday at his official duty location. On that same day Mr. Munoz
attended^^^^^^^^^^^^H at 11 a.m., approximately 11 miles from his official
duty location. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed 74 hours of regular work, and
six hours of sick leave.
• Pay Period November 11-24, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz worked at
his official duty location for five days. He used 18 hours of sick leave. For this pay
period, Mr. Munoz claimed 44 hours of regular work, 18 holiday hours, and 18 hours
of sick leave.
• Pay Periods November 25-December 8, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz
did not work from his official duty location on one day. He worked from his official
duty location for one day. He was on official travel for five days. Mr. Munoz used
nine hours of sick leave on November 26, 2018. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz
claimed 62 hours of regular work, nine holiday hours, and nine hours of sick leave.
• Pay Period December 9-December 22, 2018. During these two weeks, Mr. Munoz
did not work from his official duty location on one of the nine workdays in his
compressed schedule. He was found to have worked one partial workday on
December 17, 2018. He was on official travel for four days. He worked from his
official duty location on three workdays. For this pay period, Mr. Munoz claimed
80 hours of regular work.
Mr. Munoz admitted to us that he knew to tell he was working in the Las Vegas
Finance Center to ensure she would not ask further questions about where he was during the
pay period. EPA employees assigned to the Las Vegas Finance Center provided
statements that described Mr. Munoz as not being in the office most days. According to HI
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(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
when Mr. Mimoz came info the office, he departed around midday or
dining lunch and did not return. Tj_ " " *" • -
Mr. Munoz made admissions that there were
times he would show up to the office to work for four homs and consider himself working
because he was accessible by phone when not in the office and would take four hours]
IV. Overall Impact of Mr. Jackson's and Mr. Munoz's Conduct
Mr. Jackson improperly approved and directed that continue to
receive full pay and benefits fr om the EPA after they were terminated from federal seivice.
Mr. Jackson and Mr. Munoz, who acted at the direction of Mr. Jackson, produced and used
fraudulent documents to facilitate the payments and mislead EPA personnel concerning
employment status.
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)
The total dollar loss to the EPA in unauthorized payments directed bv Mr. Jackson, executed
with Mi~. Munoz's assistance, and paid to [0l0||Ql|MlCMB^B was $37,913.23.
The EPA paid 181.38 in sala^^m^en^tsaftei^^penniiiati on from the EPA.
The EPA paid $23,731.85 in salary and benefits
EPA.
terH termination from the
As for Mr. Munoz, our investigation found that between May 27, 2018, and December 21, 2018,
he was not at his assigned work location for 64 workdays that he attested to as working regular
hours in PeoplePlus, and an additional 11 days were partial workdays at the Las Vegas Finance
Center were identified, To determine the financial loss to the EPA, we calculated the amounts
based on the hourly rate of a GS-15, Step 10, to include locality pay for Las Vegas, as shown in
the 2018 Salary Table published by the OPM. As of January 1, 2018, the hourly rate for an
employee earning a GS-15, Step 10, pay in Las Vegas was $76.28. The total loss to the EPA in
wages paid for Mr. Munoz's misconduct is $46,607.08. Mr. Munoz accrued 56 hours of annual
leave, worth $4,271.68 and an additional 56 homs of sick leave worth $4,271.68 dming the
period in question. The total loss to the government for Mr. Munoz's misconduct is $55,150.44.
Finally, the improper four-step pay increase given to Mr. Munoz when he was appointed to the
senior advisor position resulted in a loss to the government of $40,575.11, which is the total pay
differential of the improper pay increase from the date of appointment through when he was
transitioned to the Senior Level pay scale on November 7, 2020.
V. Prosecutive Status
(b) (6), (b) (7)(C
For our investigations into the continued salaried payments made t (j
J after their terminations, we consulted with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the
District ot Columbia, Fraud and Public Corruption Section; U.S. Attorney's Office for the
District of Columbia, Superior Court Division; Department of Justice, Public Integrity Section;
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and U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Special Prosecutions Section, concerning
the allegations and findings for potential criminal prosecution. The cases were declined by all
prosecutive entities.
For our investigation into Mr. Munoz's potential time-and-attendance fraud, we consulted with
the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California and the U.S. Attorney's Office
for the District of Nevada concerning the stated allegations and findings for potential criminal
prosecution. The case was declined by both prosecutive entities.
VI. Disposition
Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Munoz are no longer employed by the EPA.
This report is being provided to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan for any action deemed
appropriate.
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