Page:J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations.pdf/1

Investigation 2021-0011-INVI-P

2021-0011-INVI-P – J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations

'''Suspected Violations include Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Standards of Conduct, Government Ethics, Fleet Management, Authority and Responsibilities of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Cooperation of AOC Employees Policies and Title 18 U.S.C. §1001, Statements or Entries Generally. '''

On March 7, 2021, the AOC OIG received a hotline complaint from a private citizen concerning the misuse of an AOC vehicle. According to the complainant, at approximately 1:15 p.m. ET, March 6, 2021, a black Ford Explorer with license plate AOC 053A was observed in the garage of the Walmart near Tyson’s Comer, VA (1500 B Cornerside Blvd., Vienna, VA, 22182). The driver of the vehicle was reportedly a woman with brunette hair, possibly in her 20s or 30s, wearing a flannel shirt, and a passenger was in the front seat. The complainant and their passenger observed the vehicle driving extremely reckless in the parking garage and swerving out of the garage at a high rate of speed, estimated to be about 65 miles per hour (mph) in a 30-mph zone. The complainant claimed the driver made obscene gestures toward them while at the stop sign outside the parking garage. The OIG later identified the driver and passenger to be the daughters of Mr. James Brett Blanton, SR-00, Architect of the Capitol.

The OIG determined the Ford Explorer (AOC 053A) was assigned to the Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO) and utilized by Blanton. During the OIG’s review, it was discovered that a previous complaint had been made with the General Services Administration (GSA) referencing the same vehicle (AOC 053A) in December 2020.

Unauthorized Vehicle Use

Per Public Law 117-103, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, funds are available for purchase or exchange, maintenance and operation of a passenger motor vehicle. It does not mention the intended usage of the vehicle. Prior to and throughout the OIG investigation, Blanton consistently contradicted his vehicle-use authority. The Office of General Counsel (OGC), OCSO and Blanton stated he is authorized a vehicle for continuity of operations (COOP) or emergency response to the U.S. Capitol, as necessary. Blanton also claimed that he was "tethered" to the vehicle — a term no one had heard of or previously used. The AOC OIG found overwhelming evidence that Blanton and his family continually misused AOC vehicles intended for home-to-work (HTW) use. AOC policy applies to all AOC employees who operate and use AOC and GSA motor vehicles and fleet cars. The policy defines HTW transportation as "the use of an AOC motor vehicle to transport employees between their home and place of work. This includes the use of an AOC motor vehicle solely for the purpose of supplementing part of or all of an employee’s commute." The policy