A regional director of the National Park Service conducted personal travel at government expense and violated ethics rules prohibiting government employees from receiving gifts from subordinates, according to a report by the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General.
Michael A. Caldwell, regional director for the Northeast region, was investigated following a complaint that he traveled to Cape Cod National Seashore under the guise of official business, but in reality for vacation. After being questioned, Caldwell admitted that between 2011 and 2015 he violated federal travel regulations on at least eight official trips.
Caldwell’s personal travel — which included regular pay and per diem on days he didn’t work, as well as expenses for hotel rooms and rental vehicles that accommodated personal guests — cost a total of $17,481. The initial violation involved a gift in the form of vacation housing from a Cape Cod National Seashore employee.
The report, which can be read on the OIG’s website, was provided to NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis for review and action.
