September 24, 2026
Today United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Agents and an FBI tactical team executed the arrest of OIG Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michelle L. Bouziden at her residence in Ogden, Utah.
Bouziden worked at OIG as a law enforcement agent for more than 7 years and as a federal employee for more than 24 years.
According to the indictment, Bouziden fraudulently received $51,571.73 in disability compensation through Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), the official workers’ compensation program for federal civilian employees.
Bouziden claimed she sustained injuries during an OIG search warrant operation in March of this year. At least one Work Capacity Evaluation Bouziden submitted in support of her disability claim stated she could not perform any required work tasks such as sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and operating a motor vehicle.
However, according to court documents, between May 13 and September 5, 2026, Bouziden completed 11 strenuous hiking trips including a 13-mile, 2,600 vertical mountain hike, a trip to Mexico including outdoor swimming, an “Immersive Adventure” trip to hike Quandary Peak Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado, and a trip to Milan, Italy (by way of Paris, France) where Bouziden hiked 59.8 miles in the Italian Dolemite range over the course of eight days.
“It is an unconscionable betrayal of the public trust for a federal employee responsible for administering justice to exploit the workers’ compensation program for fraudulent gain. Insider threats are a disgrace to the civil service,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “The conduct described in the indictment reflects shameful abandonment of the oath of office and dishonors the service of those who serve USDA OIG with integrity. She will now face justice.”
Bouziden submitted false worker’s compensation claims and made false statements to the U.S. Department of Labor, OIG, and her supervisor concerning her injuries.
“USDA OIG is committed to working with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud under VP Vance’s leadership to hold everyone – no matter what position they hold – who defrauds American taxpayers to account.” said Inspector General John Walk.The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
Media Contact USDA OIG
Jim Hoehn
Congressional & Media Relations
USDA Office of Inspector General
Email: public-affairs@oig.usda.gov
