Page:J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations.pdf/4

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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 legal counsel corroborated the information from the police report, stating that, because of his belief that Blanton was off-duty law enforcement, he did not object to Blanton's presence at the pretrial meetings. He then described Blanton as making an affirmative action when asked if he was law enforcement during the meetings. Additional testimony obtained from multiple interviews stated that Blanton advised the witnesses he had "activated the emergency equipment" when pursuing the suspect that struck the vehicle belonging to his daughter's boyfriend.

Digital forensic and testimonial evidence obtained by the OIG confirmed the Jeep Grand Cherokee traveled to both South Carolina and Florida during the time Blanton was on annual leave in August 2020. A forensic exam of the Jeep Grand Cherokee revealed that, while Blanton was on annual leave from the AOC from August 8, 2020, to August 23, 2020, the Jeep Grand Cherokee traveled to Daniel Island, SC, and Apalachicola, FL. Photographs obtained by the OIG placed Blanton's family in those locations during the specific time frame, and R. Blanton corroborated that Blanton used the AOC vehicle for his family vacation. Fuel and mileage logs retained by the AOC OIG confirmed that 2,679 miles were added to the vehicle during the time frame Blanton was on vacation.

AOC policy states that the driver may be personally liable for any infractions, including traffic citations. On August 6, 2020, at 5:07 p.m. ET, a date that Blanton's certified WebTA records reflect he teleworked, the Jeep Grand Cherokee received a red-light citation at Pickett Road in Fairfax, VA. Testimony obtained by the OIG stated that Blanton was notified and provided the citation. As of September 28, 2022, the citation has still not been paid.

2. 2020 Ford Explorer ST (AOC 053A)

While on campus, AOC staff have driven the vehicle assigned to Blanton less than one mile to the AOC fuel station located at 14 E Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003, to refuel the vehicle. On November 10, 2020, AOC staff driving the Jeep Grand Cherokee struck a barricade at the U.S. Capitol. Blanton was then loaned a black 2020 Ford Explorer ST from the OCSO. The OCSO vehicle had a government license plate (AOC 053A), was equipped with emergency equipment and was the subject of multiple complaints received by the OIG.

On December 18, 2020, the GSA received a complaint stating that, on December 17, 2020, the Ford Explorer (AOC 053A) was observed around Premier Court and Roberts Parkway in Burke, VA, after 6 p.m. ET. The complainant noted that, as a taxpayer, they were concerned that a government vehicle was being used for private purposes. Blanton advised the OIG that his youngest daughter attends gymnastics in that area and he would occasionally pick her up after work; however, certified WebTA records displayed Blanton as teleworking on December 17, 2020, and evidence obtained by the OIG revealed the gym she attends was closed on December 17, 2020.