UNACCREDITED DEGREE: LOGISTICS OFFICER

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06628005
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 17, 2024
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2024
• Case Number: F-2013-02114
• Publication Date: August 18, 2011

Approved for Release: 2024/11/13 C06628005
UNCLASS1HED/ /-Feeet-
,
18 August 2011
DISPOSITION MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT': (U) Unaccredited Degree: Logistics Officer
CASE: 2011-10158-IG
ISSUES UNDER INVESTIGATION:
1. (U// ) Based on a 2008 United States Secret Service
investigation that identified an Agency contractor as possessing a degree
from a known diploma mill, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated
a proactive investigation on 5 August 2008 into Agency staff claiming
degrees from non-accredited institutions. OIG matched a list of
unaccredited institutions against Agency BIO information to identify any
individuals who had provided degree evidence to Human Resources.1,2
One of the individuals identified, claimed a bachelor's
degree from an unaccredited institution,
on her Agency BIO.
2. kei OIG reviewed the claims made by regarding her
degree and the associated education to determine if there were false
statements or improper use of an unaccredited degree, and if there was an
improper reimbursement for the degree by the Agency.
1 (u//rouo) The term unaccredited refers to the recognition and acceptability of a degree for use in
federal employment as recognized by the Office of Personnel Management. Unaccredited degrees cannot
be used to meet the qualifications for federal positions that require a degree. The complete definitions of
accreditation are included in the Appendix.
2 (U/iTOU0). The Agency biographical profile (Agency BIO) is the mechanism for tracking information
on individuals who officially declare their education to the Agency by providing proof of attendance.
The Agency BIO is made available to hiring managers and used directly in staffing decisions. Only staff
employees and former employees were covered by this review because there is no central database on
contractor educational records.
1
UNCLASSINED/4eeer
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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b)(6)
b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
b)(6)
b)(7)(c)
INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS:
3. (U/ /FOUO) OIG reviewed
claims.
4. (UH40U0) OIG reviewed
(OPF) and online Agency BIO.
5. (U/ /-ELGEie)- OIG interviewed
regarding her unaccredited degree.
security file for arty degree
Official Personnel Folder
on 4 September 2008,
6. (U/ /FOUO) OIG obtained and reviewed internal job
applications and resumes for positions that he held at the Agency as well
as her Performance Appraisal Reports.
7. (U/4,0146))- OIG reviewed Agency regulations and relevant laws
related to the allegations.
RESULTS:
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
9. (U//FOUO) Agency BIO listed that she received her
bachelor's degree According to this is not correct.
stated that she started her coursework with inPand received
her degree in Agency BIO indicates that she was selected for
positions within the Agency since adding her "degree" to her record.
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
2
UNCLASSIFIED/ /FOUO
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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UNCLASSIFIED//rOU0
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)1
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
I(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
on her experience. In her a
Positions (SF-86 EG) dated
under education with
for "Date attended, From - To."
provided a transcript dated
ed by the US Department of Education (DoE).
as never accredited by the US DoE.
12. (U)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
claims accreditation by a
not reco
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
The accreditor is
(b)(3) CIAAct
13. (U// initially noted that, when she applied for ("6)
employment at CIA in she needed to complete two dass(b)(6)(b)(7)(c)
before she received her bachelors degree from (b)(7)(c)
However, notes on her resume contained in her Official Personnel Folder
(OPF) indicate that she was interviewed for an entry-level position based
licant Questionnaire for National Security (b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
she listed
under the column that asked
rior to entrance on duty,
which is in OPF.
There are seven courses listed and under degree granted it lists "N/A."
According to information in security file, on
informed a security background investigator that she received her
bachelors degree from and that she attended from
by
m a
At that time,
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
This contrasts with information provideLb)(7)(c)
interview with a background investigator. (b)(6)
reported that she received her bachelors degree in (b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c) 3
UNCLASSIFIED/ /-Feee-
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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UNCLASSIFIED! FOU0
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
14. (U/ /-R4140) During the OIG interview stated that she
did not believe that the US Government paid for her "degree" and that she (b)(3) CIAAct
was not reimbursed for her degree by any other organization. Information(b)(6)
inj that
OPF indicates at stated she received tuition assistance (b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
from the
to pay for her tuition.3 Subsequent to
interview with CMG, she provided documentation that she paid
$1,740 for her bachelor's degree and she paid it in a lump sum with a
personal credit card.
15. (U//-Q�-
legitimate. Dunn
believed that
Following the interview,
documentation, including transcripts and admission letters. stated
that she first learned that the "degree" was from a non-accredited
university when OIG investigators advised her of the fact during her
interview
stated that she believed her "degree" was
the interview with OIG, contended that she
was a legitimate educational institution.
provided OIG with a volume of
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
4
UNCLASSIFIED/ /-Fefge-
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UNCLASSIFIEDH-FetJer
b)(3) CIAAct
b)(6)
(b)(3)
(b)(6)
DISPOSITION: (b)(7)(c)
16.
CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
"degree" from was present on(b)(7)(c)
(U//FOU0)

her Agency BIO for her
selection
to different positions within the
b)(7)(c)
CIA paid a total
of $1,740
for her bachelor's degree
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
OIG Deputy Counsel
determined
there was no criminal or regulatory violation on the part of
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
Based on the currently
further investigation
available information, no disciplinary
is recommended. OIG will notify HR and
degree information be removed from her
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
action or
request
Agency
BIO.
(b)(3)
CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
Special Agent
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
Supervisory Special Agent
5
UNCLASSIFIED/ FOU0
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