WASHINGTON — Thousands of federal patent workers are allowed to work from home with little supervision and face almost no discipline even if they lie about the hours they put in, an internal watchdog told Congress on Tuesday as lawmakers examine a telework program acclaimed as a model for the government. Senior managers at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are blocked from ensuring that employees actually work the hours claimed, making it appear that time-card abuse is “tolerated” at the agency …