Page:J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations.pdf/3

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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 In addition to the added mileage, wear and tear, and fuel, the AOC paid $1,409.80 because of an accident that took place at a craft brewery on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Immediately following the AOC vehicle's return from a Blanton family vacation in August 2020, it was taken for an oil change that cost $82.76. Although an oil change is regularly scheduled maintenance, 2,679 miles were added to the vehicle during the time frame Blanton was on vacation.

The OIG identified no less than $13,926.56 as net questioned costs associated with Blanton's use of AOC vehicles. Although applicable government rates were used to determine the questioned costs associated with improper vehicle use, the frequency of inappropriate use, multiple vehicles involved, fuel added by Blanton that was not accounted for on AOC records, and additional miles added between each fueling made it impractical to differentiate between legitimate gallons of fuel added by the AOC; therefore, the AOC's direct loss of funds associated with gallons of fuel added to the vehicles was not included.

During the time frame of the investigation, Blanton used three different vehicles belonging to the U.S. Government.

1. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (EA 3080)

From mid-January 2020 to mid-November 2021, Blanton drove a black 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee privately leased by the AOC. The vehicle was equipped with emergency equipment (i.e., police lights, siren and radio) and displayed a Washington, D.C., license plate (EA 3080) and had been used by previous Architects. Digital forensic and testimonial evidence confirmed that Blanton used the Jeep Grand Cherokee for personal use on a regular basis. On Saturday, May 30, 2020, Blanton, his family and the AOC vehicle were involved in an accident at Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Ln., Leesburg, VA, 20176. Blanton told the other party involved that it was a government vehicle, he was an "agent" and he did not have insurance information because the government would handle the insurance claim. Photos Blanton provided his staff displayed evidence corroborating they were taken on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at a latitude and longitude that places both Blanton and the AOC vehicle at the parking lot of Vanish Farmwoods Brewery. A police report was not obtained, witness statements were not taken and other AOC accident procedures were not followed in accordance with policy.

On June 29, 2020, Blanton used the Jeep Grand Cherokee to pursue a suspect involved in a hit and run that took place near his residence. The vehicle struck belonged to the boyfriend of Blanton's daughter. The police report obtained from that incident identified Blanton as an "off-duty DC police officer," and in-car video (ICV) footage obtained from the Fairfax County Police Department depicted Blanton and a vehicle matching the Jeep Grand Cherokee belonging to the AOC parked on the street in front of the residence of the suspect. Testimony from the suspect's