Secretary Sally Jewell has taken action to address issues raised by an investigation into Jeanette Hanna, a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee who has been the subject of numerous complaints, an Interior Department official said.

The Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation that determined Hanna spent 775 days on detail in Washington, D.C., far longer than the 240 days allowed by federal regulations. The report also said Hanna overcharged the BIA for lodging and transportation expenses.

The report was referred to then-secretary Ken Salazar in August 2012 but it's not clear if he took action before he left office in May. Jewell, however, has responded to the OIG's concerns, according to an official.

"Interior takes the Inspector General's report seriously and has acted on the issues raised," an official said. "The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs is working to put in place additional checks to better protect against such abuses in the future."

The official did not elaborate when asked for specifics. But another official at DOI said Hanna likely will be required to repay the BIA for overspending more than $40,000 on lodging and a rental vehicle during her detail in D.C.

A current government employee who used to work at the BIA's office in Eastern Oklahoma also said Hanna was denied a pending promotion. DOI has not responded to a request for more information about Hanna's current title.

Jewell, however, will have to answer to Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Washington), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. He's asked her chief of staff and Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn, the head of the BIA, to provide documents about Hanna's situation by May 31.

Hanna was serving as regional director in Eastern Oklahoma when she was placed on leave in November 2009 for reasons that the BIA has not disclosed publicly. The OIG's report, however, said a BIA investigation confirmed that Hanna "fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in retaliation, harassment and mismanagement."

The BIA's investigation, which was concluded in 2010, has not been made public so Hastings has asked for a copy. Some of Hanna's former subordinates, who continue to fear retaliation due to Hanna's nebulous status in D.C., also want the report but have been denied copies.

DOI Inspector General Report:
Jeanette Hanna (August 2012)

Rep. Hastings Letters:
Letter to Chief of Staff Laura Davis (May 17, 2 013)
Letter to Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn (May 17, 2013)

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