The top investigator at the Interior Department declined to confirm a probe into royalty collections on Indian lands.

Inspector General Earl E. Devaney was asked about a Salt Lake Tribune story that said investigators were looking into under-reporting of royalties by energy companies. He wouldn't definitively say whether or not the probe was taking place.

"We're always looking at allegations that royalties are underreported," Devaney said in more general terms.

Devaney's office previously looked at an incident in which Minerals Management Service falsified trust data. Three employees were reprimanded by not before one was given a cash award for "creativity."

A video archive of the hearing can be viewed at the C-SPAN website.

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing On “Recent Interior Department Inspector General Investigations On Federal Oil And Gas Royalty Collections.” (September 18, 2008)

OIG Reports:
Gregory W. Smith | MMS Oil Marketing Group - Lakewood | Federal Business Solutions Contracts

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