WASHINGTON — The previous head of a federal company that examines chemical mishaps incorrectly invested more than $90,000 throughout her period, consistingof unapproved journeys to and from her California house, renovation her Washington workplace and outside media training for herself, according to a brand-new report by a federal guarddog.
The report by the Environmental Protection Agency’s inspector basic states Katherine Lemos, the previous chair of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, was not entitled to travel expenditures worth almost $50,000 for at least 18 round journeys inbetween the capital and her house in San Diego from April 2020 through March 2022, when she altered her authorities workenvironment to San Diego.
Lemos took 2 extra round journeys inbetween San Diego and Washington from March 2022 till her resignation 4 months lateron, the report stated. Those journeys expense more than $5,000, however privateinvestigators were notable to figureout if they breached federal policy.
Lemos, who was designated by previous President Donald Trump, was dogged by debate throughout her 28-month period. For much of that time, she was the just individual serving on what is expected to be a five-member panel.
A September 2022 report by the EPA inspector basic stated the security board was impeded by a absence of staffing, management conflicts and a stockpile of examinations that threatened its capability to safeguard individuals and the environment.
Leadership conflicts, substandard internal examines and reporting stockpiles “are restraining the board’s capability to achieve its objective,″ Inspector General Sean O’Donnell stated in a declaration at the time.
The report came 2 months after Lemos resigned amidst criticism about elegant costs and internal clashes with other board members. The security board finished simply one examination in 2020, 3 in 2021 and 3 in the veryfirst 7 month