Border Patrol agents received overtime bonuses for being CrossFit instructors, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General report released Monday.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) first received a whistleblower report alleging that Border Patrol agents at the El Centro Sector Headquarters claimed administratively uncontrollable overtime (AUO) for their duties as CrossFit instructors.
In 2013, the OSC referred the allegations to the DHS IG after concluding "there is a substantial likelihood that the information the whistleblower provided to OSC discloses a violation of law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, and a gross waste of funds."
The Inspector General investigation found that eight Border Patrol sectors include CrossFit classes in their physical fitness programs. Six of the eight sectors paid AUO for CrossFit training. These six sectors accounted for 1,447 hours of overtime. "Of the 1,447 AUO hours, 606 (42 percent) were clearly related to CrossFit activities," the report found.
According to the report, CrossFit instructors claimed 15 percent AUO in addition to their base salary. The inspector general concluded, "CrossFit duties were not so compelling that failure to complete those duties would have constituted negligence."
According to the inspector general, Border Patrol discontinued AUO payments for CrossFit instruction in January 2014.
"I am encouraged by CBP’s response to a costly misuse of the AUO system, which will help safeguard taxpayer money and give the accountability the public expects and deserves," DHS Inspector General John Roth said in a statement.