FEMA Administrator Brock Long Will Reimburse Government, Will Not Be Charged by Internal Investigation

The FEMA Administrator, William "Brock" Long, has been ordered to repay the government for its misuse of federal vehicles, but he will be allowed to remain in office, according to statements by Long and Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary at Department of Homeland Security.

The statements appeared to be aimed at overcoming a tension between Long and Nielsen that distracted the staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency – where Long is beloved – just as the agency is dealing with the floods caused by Hurricane Florence.

A person familiar with Long's case said he would not be fired for criminal charges, a possibility that shook him this week and was about to resign as Florence hit his homeland, North Carolina . President Trump told councilors that he likes Long and wants him to stay at work, according to a senior administration official who has requested anonymity to discuss the situation of the FEMA administrator.

In a phone call on Friday morning, Long and Nielsen discussed the final report of the Inspector General, according to two senior government officials, and seemed to find a solution to their bitter quarrel. Long told his colleagues that he hoped the resolution would lead to a relaxation with Nielsen. In his statement, Mr. Nielsen stated that a review of the conduct of the FEMA Administrator by the DHS Inspector General had been completed. Long's use of government vehicles to move between Washington and her home in Hickory, North Carolina, had been made "without proper authorization," she said.

"The FEMA administrator has unique responsibilities to ensure that the government continues to function effectively under catastrophic circumstances," she said. "For nearly a decade, FEMA administrators were transported and had access to government vehicles equipped to provide executive connectivity in times of crisis. Despite this established practice, the use of government vehicles to provide commuting to the FEMA administrator has never been permitted in accordance with applicable law. "

Long's statement, sent to reporters by DHS officials, not by FEMA staff, said he would take "corrective action".

"As head of this agency, I accept full responsibility for any mistakes made by me or by the agency," the statement said.

According to Nielsen's statement, the Inspector General's report established that Long had used government vehicles for "unofficial reasons" and that these trips should be repaid. DHS will conduct a review of the agency's commuting programs, Nielsen said.

William Wan contributed to this report.