THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON

FEB 2 3 2016
Memorandum
To:

Mary L. Kendall
Deputy Inspector General

From:

Michael Connor~£/ ,I'//"'/
Deputy S e c r e t ~
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Subject:

Response to Office of the Inspector General Report of Investigation Regarding
Jonathan Jarvis (Case No. OI-PI-15-0609-1)

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This memorandum is in response to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report of
Investigation (ROI), dated November 19, 2015, concerning National Park Service (NPS)
Director Jonathan Jarvis. The ROI investigated whether Director Jarvis used his public office for
private gain by seeking a book deal with Eastern National; whether he misused any Government
resources in the process; his involvement in Eastern National matters at the NPS around the time
of his book deal; and his decision not to seek the Ethics Office's advice about the book.
Although the ROI does not expressly draw any conclusions about the results of the OIG
investigation, the Department has reviewed the ROI carefully and come to the conclusion that
Director Jarvis did violate Federal employee ethics standards.
The Department takes this matter very seriously and is in the process of taking appropriate
personnel actions. I will issue a written reprimand to Director Jarvis, he will be relieved of his
responsibility to manage the NPS ethics program for the remainder of his tenure as Director, and
he will be required to attend monthly ethics training from the Director of the Department's
Ethics Office for the remainder of his tenure as NPS Director. Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Fish and Wildlife and Parks Karen Hyun will assume the responsibility of managing the NPS
ethics program. These actions are intended to address Director Jarvis' behavior, to strengthen
the NPS ethics program, and to enhance the Department's ethics culture.
I am also concerned about the attitude the ROI demonstrates Director Jarvis exhibited toward
important Departmental institutions such as the Ethics Office, the Office of the Solicitor, and the
Office of the Secretary. These institutions are a resource for all employees to help us to conduct
the work of the American people well within the boundaries of law and policy. Senior leaders,
including Director Jarvis, must model constructive engagement with these offices. I have
personally met with Director Jarvis regarding this matter and am satisfied that he fully
understands the unacceptable nature of his conduct.
A strong ethics program is central to the success of the Department. The Department appreciates
the OIG's investigation of this matter.