Montana Forest Service Employee’s Time Card Scam Goes Awry

You know what they say about all work and no play?

Perhaps this wasn't a complete rephrasing to all PLAY and no WORK. But enough so that officials got suspicious of a U.S. Forest Service employee, who could face lengthy prison time, a hefty fine and a period of supervised release.

The USFS tells us that a Thompson Falls, Montana man accused of falsifying time and attendance records admitted to those charges April 22. Nathan J. Snead, 47, pleaded guilty to theft of government money. He faces ten years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.Sentencing is set for August 27. Mr. Snead was released with conditions pending further proceedings.

HOW THE SCAM PLAYED OUT

The government stated in court documents that the defendant was required to work 40 hours of regular time per week, and he was compensated for administratively uncontrollable overtime. Mr. Snead documented his regular and overtime hours on his Time and Attendance Record for each pay period and signed each as true and accurate accounts. He also completed a record of overtime for each pay period in which he provided a case number and justification for the overtime.

The Time and Attendance Record began to look suspicious as far back as May, 2023. So, USFS agents installed a GPS tracker on his government-issued patrol vehicle to monitor his movements. The tracker data showed Mr. Snead’s patrol vehicle was stationary at his house during hours he claimed to be working.

On several occasions, he certified on his Time and Attendance Record he worked an 8-hour regular shift. However, his patrol vehicle remained stationary at his house for the entire 8 hours. He also claimed overtime hours when his patrol vehicle was stationary at his house for much of his regular shift and for the entire time of claimed overtime.

His productivity levels, measured via incident reports and the issuance of violation notices, were much lower than other similarly-situated law enforcement officers. The United States estimates the false time claims resulted in the theft of approximately $18,645.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Forest Service conducted the investigation.