NPR

Cronyism, 'Wasteful' Spending Accusations Roil Government Publishing Office

NPR has obtained an internal investigative report that alleges mismanagement at a little-known federal agency in charge of producing and distributing official documents, including 2020 census forms.
Two senior officials at the U.S. Government Publishing Office, based in Washington, D.C., betrayed "public trust" and eroded employee morale by hiring unqualified workers, including an official's son, the agency's Office of Inspector General said in an internal report.

Allegations of cronyism, wasteful spending and other misconduct are roiling a little-known federal agency in charge of producing and distributing the government's official documents, including paper questionnaires for the upcoming 2020 census.

According to an internal watchdog report obtained by NPR, two officials at the U.S. Government Publishing Office — previously known as the Government Printing Office — allegedly violated federal laws and regulations by filling agency jobs with unqualified candidates, including an official's son. The GPO's Office of Inspector General has not finalized its findings, but in June, it sent an interim report to the joint congressional committee that oversees the agency.

Lawmakers on the Senate Rules and Administration Committee have "sought additional information regarding allegations of misconduct at the GPO," according to Katie Boyd, spokeswoman for Chairman Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. His committee shares oversight of the GPO with

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