FEMA administrator Brock Long said at a press conference last Thursday that he’s cooperating with the inspector general investigation. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images FEMA FEMA official suspended in connection with IG probe

A senior FEMA official has been suspended without pay in connection with a Department of Homeland Security inspector general investigation into the improper use of government vehicles by FEMA administrator Brock Long, according to two current government officials.

The official, John Veatch, was informed of his suspension by FEMA chief of staff Eric Heighberger last Friday, just as the agency was leading coordination of the response to Hurricane Florence.


Veatch, appointed by Trump to oversee FEMA’s National Continuity Programs directorate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A FEMA spokesperson referred questions to the DHS press office. A DHS spokesman declined to comment on an active IG investigation and referred the question to the IG’s office, which also did not immediately respond.

POLITICO first reported last week that an IG investigation had been opened into Long’s use of government Suburbans for routine weekend travel to his home in North Carolina under the continuity program run by Veatch, which is designed to ensure senior officials can be reached in case of a national emergency.

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“It’s a classified space so they don’t advertise a lot of what they do,” said one of the officials, referring to Veatch’s directorate.

Long said at a press conference last Thursday that he’s cooperating with the IG. The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the matter had been referred to federal prosecutors, who are investigating Long and two other FEMA employees.

Separately, Rep. Trey Gowdy (S.C.), the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to Long on Monday requesting his travel records and any details related to the purpose and cost of his trips and aides that accompanied him.

Veatch’s bio remains live on FEMA’s website. He worked on “sensitive operations” in the aftermath of 9/11 and also has also done emergency management and continuity planning in the Sergeant at Arms’ office in the U.S. Senate and in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ted Hesson contributed to this report.



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