Statement Regarding Daniel Clark Investigation

SALT LAKE CITY — Last year, Utah State Parks (Division) discovered and swiftly dealt
with allegations that one of our employees, Daniel W. Clark, misappropriated state funds.
The Division values the public’s trust and the legislature’s trust and takes any potential
breach of that trust seriously. Both the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and
the Division have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the abuse of public funds. Our
employees are expected to be responsible stewards of public funds and to demonstrate
integrity in how and where the state’s money is spent.
The fraudulent activity was discovered in July 2020 by Division staff. Division leadership
immediately took steps to address the issue. Below is the timeline of events regarding the
incident:
• Clark was interviewed on July 16 by the appropriate Division and DNR leadership
regarding the alleged activity.
• Attorneys at the Utah Attorney General’s (AG’s) Office were contacted immediately
following the interview.
• Clark’s employment with the Division was terminated the day after being interviewed
by Division and DNR leadership.
• On July 16, the AG’s Office opened an investigation into the incident with the full
cooperation of the Division.
• Formal charges against Mr. Clark were filed by the AG’s Office.
The Division appreciates the work of the AG’s Office throughout this investigation. We also
recognize and appreciate the state’s audit process and the extensive research conducted
by Division staff that identified the alleged fraud.
To help ensure state funds are spent in accordance with state policy, the Division has
strengthened the following safeguards:
• Segregation of duties
• Mitigation of control weaknesses
• Verifying purchases through multiple staff
• Providing employees with ongoing purchasing training
• Conducting fraud detection training
• Frequently updating staff’s conflict of interest forms
• Enhanced disciplinary action for staff who violate accounting and/or purchasing
guidelines
• Updated Division guidelines
• Formalized construction project management and better project recordkeeping

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Utah Department of Natural Resources, 1594 W. North Temple Suite 3710, PO Box 145610, Salt Lake City, UT 84114, 801-538-7200, www.nr.utah.gov