WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The former human resources director for D.C. Public Library agreed to pay a fine of $17,500 after an investigation determined she worked as a doula while she was on the District’s clock.

The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) found that Lauren Graves held two other jobs while she headed up the library system’s human resources department. One was a full-time position as senior human resources manager at Los Angeles-based Blackstone Consulting, Inc. The other job was a contract position with Doulas of Capitol Hill in D.C.

OGE said Graves did not tell D.C. Public Library that she had the additional jobs. When confronted about them, OGE said Graves claimed she worked in the positions outside of the time she was on the clock with the city.

The office said it found that was not true.

The investigation determined that Graves “offered doula consultations curing times that directly conflicted with her District government tour of duty.” OGE found that Graves allowed potential clients to schedule consultations from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. through the doula service’s website. Additionally, there was witness testimony that said Graves could not be reached in her capacity as human resources director throughout the workday whether she was in the office or working remotely.

In a specific instance, OGE said someone reported Graves missing from the office. The investigation found a contractual agreement which showed that Graves “was scheduled to assist with a birthing delivery on the day she was reported missing.” OGE said it confirmed that Graves was delivering a baby on that day.

Investigators said they found that Graves misused her D.C. government email by communicating with her outside employers and that she forwarded a number of “internal District government documents to her outside job at Blackstone.” One email contained new annual salary information for Blackstone employees after their bonuses and merit percentages had been calculated. OGE said it found that Graves also attended meetings with Blackstone employees at times when she was supposed to be working for the District.

Graves agreed to satisfy the fine of $17,500 by May 2, 2025.

D.C. Public Library said Graves resigned on April 7, which was three days after OGE released the negotiated disposition in the case. Graves’ resignation was effective April 8.