Report finds some DNR employees were overpaid

By Aaron Gould Sheinin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The state inspector general has found that the Department of Natural Resources paid excessive salaries to at least one employee and that another high-ranking official admitted during an investigation that “I do nothing.”

But the 24-page report found that a series of other allegations filed against the agency by an employee were unsubstantiated, including claims that agency leaders funneled money and jobs to friends and associates.

The investigation, prompted by an unnamed employee’s complaint, found that Bob McPherson was allowed to keep a 20 percent salary increase after he was promoted from budget analyst to acting assistant fiscal officer. But, after he requested a return to his former position, he was allowed to keep the pay increase. That, the investigation found, was inappropriate.

John Thompson, a 29-year employee of the agency, was transferred from chief of operations for state parks to assistant director of financial services and given a 22 percent salary increase. But, during the investigation, Thompson admitted he does not supervise employees as expected. He told investigators that was “a fictitious-type arrangement,” adding, “I do nothing.”

Thompson is paid $109,900 following the raise.