The Department of War Office of Inspector General (DoW OIG) released the “Report of Investigation: Ms. Donjette L. Gilmore, Senior Executive Service, Auditor General, Naval Audit Service.”

The DoW OIG investigation found that Ms. Gilmore violated the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), and Department of Navy Instructions from 2018 through 2024 in the hiring process of 17 positions within her office. The DoW OIG substantiated allegations that Ms. Gilmore created an appearance among her staff that her hiring selections were based on a preference for African American women and external candidates.

The DOW OIG also substantiated allegations that Ms. Gilmore violated the CFR and JER by using her public office for private gain and misusing government resources to support a local charity for which she served on the board. Additionally, Ms. Gilmore misused her position and her subordinates’ official time to perform personal and other non-work-related tasks for her that included coercing one of them to file sexual harassment complaints against her competitor for the Auditor General position in an effort to eliminate him from consideration.

Lastly, the DoW OIG found that Ms. Gilmore harassed her subordinates with belittling and demeaning comments in violation of Department of War and Department of Navy Instructions.

“Whistleblower protection laws ensure that Service members, federal civilian and contract employees can freely report fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or criminal and administrative misconduct, without fear of reprisal,” said IG Platte B. Moring lll. “Whistleblowers served an important role in this investigation into the conduct of a senior DoD official.”

The DoW OIG initiated this investigation on September 26, 2024, after receiving six complaints against Ms. Gilmore. Nine additional complaints against Ms. Gilmore followed and became part of the investigation.  

The DoW OIG recommended that the Secretary of the Navy take appropriate action with respect to Ms. Gilmore in light of the substantiated misconduct described in the report.