what does the inspector general do

A U.S. federal inspector general (IG) is the head of an independent, non-partisan organization established within each executive branch agency assigned to audit the agency’s operation in order to discover and investigate cases of misconduct, waste, fraud and other abuse of government procedures occurring within the agency. [37] In 2015, a fraud alert was issued to publicize the OIG's intent to further regulate such non-compliance. The appropriate agency official is expected to advise the OIG within 120 days of receiving the investigative report as to what disciplinary or other action has been proposed or taken in response to investigative report findings, or if no action is taken. Reprisal and retaliation for reporting wrongdoing is prohibited by Federal law and regulations, and no action may be taken against you for having complained or disclosed information to the OIG, unless the complaint was made or the information disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity. The cover letter used with some investigative reports may contain information and guidance. A brief, accurate statement of the facts believed to provide evidence of wrongdoing; names, addresses, and office locations of pertinent individuals and organizations; dates when the suspected wrongdoing took place or is expected to occur; any pertinent documents within your possession; and. OIG interviews are conducted in compliance with constitutional rights. OIG reports and documents are made available internally and publicly, subject to the restrictions imposed by the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act. When the IG observes that an issue identified in the transmitted report is a recurring or systematic problem, or one reported in other OIG products, the cover letter is used to identify the problem to managers in this broader context. DAO 207-10, Section 2, makes clear that the Inspector General Act authorizes OIG to “have access to all records, communications (e.g., e-mail, voicemail, instant messaging), reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations and other material available to the Department that relate to Department programs and operations.” Can Inspector General prosecute? The Inspector General: Is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability. Employees requesting legal, union or other representation are entitled to a reasonable amount of time to arrange this representation. In a 2011 article by Matt Taibbi, SEC whistleblowers said that complaining to the SEC OIG was "well-known to be a career-killer. First, employees are in the best position to observe wrongdoing and have the technical expertise to assess wrongful actions. Much of the success of the OIG mission to combat fraud, waste, and abuse depends on the cooperation of all FCC employees. The Inspector General of the Marine Corps (IGMC) will promote Marine Corps combat readiness, institutional integrity, effectiveness, discipline, and … [2] With approximately 1,600 employees, the HHS-OIG performs audits, investigations, and evaluations to recommend policy for decision-makers and the public. This section of the statute also authorizes the IG to issue subpoenas to obtain documents from outside the Federal government. [42], Oversight division of a United States federal or state agency, This article is about investigative offices in the United States. [18] For example, both the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Labor and the inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development are presidentially appointed. The IG’s term runs independent of the term of the Mayor and City Council. When applicable, a statement of the individual’s rights with regard to, among other things, remaining silent and obtaining legal counsel or union representation is stated directly and personally at each interview. For similar offices in all countries, see, Presidentially-appointed inspectors general, List of presidentially-appointed inspectors general, Designated federal entity inspectors general, Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute enforcement, Acting: August 2, 1999 – December 15, 2000, Acting: December 26, 1988 – August 1, 1990, Acting: January 18, 1988 – December 1, 1989, Acting: April 21, 1987 – April 18, 1988, Acting: January 7, 1998 – July 20, 1999, Acting: May 27, 2002 – November 27, 2002, Acting: January 5, 1998 – October 21, 1998, Acting: January 4, 1997 – November 9, 1998, Acting: October 31, 2009 – October 15, 2010, Acting: September 13, 2004 – June 9, 2005, Acting: January 24, 2003 – December 26, 2003, Acting: December 8, 2004 – July 28, 2005, On leave: February 23, 2009 – December 31, 2011, Acting: August 10, 2000 – December 15, 2000, Acting: March 23, 1983 – August 4, 1983, Acting: March 20, 1993 – November 20, 1993, Acting: March 7, 2004 – November 29, 2004, Acting: January 21, 1981 – July 7, 1981, Acting: November 15, 1983 – August 16, 1985, Acting: April 1, 2011 – February 1, 2012, Acting: January 9, 2003 – January 10, 2004, Acting: January 1, 2010 – June 22, 2011, Acting: June 5, 2009 – January 10, 2011, Acting: September 12, 2012 – March 23, 2015, Acting: January 30, 2011 – December 17, 2012, Acting: February 19, 2016 – November 29, 2018, Acting: February 11, 2013 – August 11, 2013, Acting: March 30, 2018 – January 20, 2019, Acting: April 7, 1989 – January 19, 1990, Acting: August 2, 1998 – February 7, 1999, Acting: February 6, 1995 – July 28, 1996, Acting: January 4, 2013 – June 19, 2013, Acting: October 23, 1989 – June 13, 1991, Acting: November 13, 1994 – April 14, 1996, Acting: January 2, 2010 – July 30, 2010, Acting: September 2017 – February 15, 2018, Acting: October 15, 1995 – March 31, 1996, Acting: January 14, 2001 – March 25, 2001, Acting: September 23, 1996 – March 21, 1997, Acting: April 30, 1995 – January 3, 1996, Acting: October 2017 – February 15, 2018, Redacted version of the DoD Inspector General audit, obtained through the. Some designated IG special agents, however, still have full law enforcement authority today by virtue of this continued deputation. The individual is apprised of his or her right to remain silent if the answers may tend to incriminate him or her; that anything said may be used against him or her in either a criminal or administrative proceeding; and he or she cannot be disciplined for remaining silent. Within the United States Armed Forces, the position of inspector general is normally part of the personal staff serving a general or flag officer in a command position. Personnel complaints and FWA disclosures to the IG help commanders correct problems that affect the productivity, mission accomplishment, and morale of assigned personnel, which are areas of high concern to Air Force leaders at all levels. Employees who do not voluntarily cooperate may be ordered by a supervisor to appear for an interview with an OIG investigator. Employees who disobey such an order may be disciplined, subject to any employee rights discussed below. [20] Presidentially appointed IGs can only be removed, or terminated, from their positions by the President of the United States, whereas designated inspectors general can be terminated by the agency head. The Inspector General is required by law to refer cases to the Department of Justice if reasonable grounds exist to believe that a violation of Federal criminal law has occurred, and has the discretion to refer a case that merits civil action. Employees should provide the OIG with any new or additional information pertinent to the allegation. General inspections are a broad scope type of inspection and normally focused on units. In addition, federal offices of inspectors general employ forensic auditors, or "audigators," evaluators, inspectors, administrative investigators, and a variety of other specialists. The OIG’s Office of Investigations conducts investigations, which are different from audits and evaluations.Our investigations are carried out under the authority of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, which established the OIG as an independent oversight entity to combat waste, fraud, and abuse relating to the programs and operations of the Board and … After Congress objected, Reagan rehired 5 of those terminated. Of course, false statements made in the course of an investigation may be subject to both criminal and administrative penalties. An inspector general is responsible for doing audit reports and inspections to ensure that no possible fraud, misconduct, corruption, or power abuse in the government or private sector occurs. Inspectors General are responsible for directing and managing all Inspector General (IG) programs. These statements of rights are referred to as “warnings.”. There are two clear bases for those statistics. In the United States, other than in the military departments, the first Office of Inspector General (OIG) was established by act of Congress in 1976[1] under the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, and more than 100 other departmental programs. Allegations of suspected wrongdoing are also received from FCC managers and the OIG audit program. Evidence of the offices' return on investment to taxpayers can be seen through their semi-annual reports to Congress, most of which are available on each office's website.[29]. Their activities include the detection and prevention of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of the government programs and operations within their parent organizations. Another source for complaints is the OIG Hotline: 1 - 888-863-2244 or (202) 418-0473. The investigative report details pertinent facts of a case and describes available evidence of all relevant aspects of any allegation against individuals, including aspects of an allegation not substantiated. This is the 25th Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) report to the United States Congress on Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the overseas contingency operation to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). [39], Inspectors general have also been criticized for being ineffective and persecuting whistleblowers rather than protecting them. An employee must request such union representation before the right becomes operational. You should try to provide the following information if possible: Employees should not engage in any independent inquiry or investigation and should not discuss the matter with the persons suspected of wrongdoing. Prior to this time, most presidentially appointed IG and some designated IG special agents had the equivalent law enforcement authorities as a result of other statutes or annually required deputation by the U.S. Marshals Service. VA OIG Seal with a text, "Companion Podcast- VHA's Primary Care Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic". What does … Section 20.055(2), F.S., created, in all state agencies an Office of Inspector General to provide a central point for coordination of and responsibility for activities that promote accountability, integrity and efficiency in government.The Inspector General for the Florida Department of State is under the general … [5] Just after firing intelligence inspector general Michael Atkinson, Trump criticized Atkinson as having done a "terrible job" and that he "took a fake report and he brought it to Congress", in reference to the whistleblower complaint of the Trump–Ukraine scandal, which other testimony and evidence largely verified. As of July 2014[update], there were 72 statutory IGs. [4], Barack Obama dismissed Corporation for National and Community Service inspector general Gerald Walpin citing a lack of confidence in him. HHS-OIG has targeted hospitals and healthcare systems for Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations pertaining to the management of physician compensation arrangements. If you choose to identify yourself, under the Act your name will not be revealed without your consent unless the IG determines that the disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation. Investigative activities include examination of documents, such as files, contracts, vouchers, reports, and memoranda. The purpose of general inspections is to look at all aspects of … In addition, allegations that are not investigated immediately may be retained for use as the basis for broad programmatic inquiries or audits. January 28, 2020. During vertical inspections, the inspector general looks up and down a specific unit to ensure they are maintaining Air Force … To a certain degree they are ombudsmen for their branch of service. An example of the role political affiliation plays in the selection of an inspector general, and the resulting pitfalls, can be seen in the 2001 Republican appointment (and resignation under fire) of Janet Rehnquist[22] (daughter of former Chief Justice of the United States, William Rehnquist) to the post of inspector general for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.[23]. The employee is notified that he or she is entitled to union representation during interviews that may result in disciplinary action against such employee. Harrisburg, PA - The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) filed welfare fraud charges against 45 individuals during the month of December 2019. The remaining inspectors general are designated by their respective agency heads,[19] such as the U.S. The inspector general acts as the principal advisor to the secretary of defense in matters of Department fraud, waste, and abuse. After all, even if a house looks like it’s in great condition, appearances can be deceiving. You may contact the OIG directly, by telephone at (202) 418-0470 or (202) 418-0473. Some inspectors general, the heads of the offices, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. "[40] Another example is from whistleblower Jesselyn Radack's book Canary in the Coalmine, in which she describes her experience complaining to the Department of Justice OIG; instead of helping her, the IG office helped the DOJ get her fired and restricted from practicing as a lawyer. They investigate abuse of power, waste of resources, and fraud. [8][9], The Inspector General Act of 1978[10] created 12 departmental inspectors general. They direct, train, and evaluate personnel and provide policy guidance concerning IG inspection programs. Miranda warnings are given when an individual is being interviewed concerning his or her own potentially criminal misconduct and is taken into custody or deprived of freedom in a significant way. According to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the Inspector General’s mission is to: Conduct independent and objective audits and investigations relating to DHS programs and operations. In the United States, Office of Inspector General (OIG) is a generic term for the oversight division of a federal or state agency aimed at preventing inefficient or unlawful operations within their parent agency. The live, in-person Inspector General Institute® programs in Jacksonville, FL, are scheduled for to August 23rd – 27th, 2021. His administration explained that Reagan intended to hire his own selections. What power does the inspector general … An inspector general (IG) is the internal compliance officer of most governmental agencies, and the phrase typically refers to a title, not a rank. Under general supervision of a Deputy Inspector General, Senior, incumbents are assigned independent responsibility for conducting the full range of … Acting as something of an internal watchdog, the Army inspector general routinely investigates allegations of misconduct by Army officials at the rank of colonel or below. DoD IG combats fraud, waste and abuse in the Department of Defense by conducting audits and investigations. Investigative reports are given to officials and managers who have a need to know in order to properly determine whether disciplinary or other administrative action is warranted. Kalkines warnings are given when the possibility of criminal prosecution has been removed, usually by a declination to prosecute by the DOJ, and the employee is required to answer questions relating to the performance of his or her official duties or be subject to disciplinary action. Since the post-9/11 enactment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002,[30] resulting in the amendment of the IG Act of 1978, Section 6e, most presidentially appointed IG special agents have had full law enforcement authority to carry firearms, make arrests, and execute search warrants. As Inspector General, Mr. Horowitz oversees a nationwide workforce of more than 450 special agents, auditors, inspectors, attorneys, and support staff whose mission is to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in DOJ programs and personnel, and to promote economy and efficiency in Department operations. [41] Another example is from the Thomas Andrews Drake case, in which several complainants to the Department of Defense OIG over NSA's Trailblazer Project were later raided by the FBI and some threatened with criminal prosecution. [24] As of 2010[update], the CIGIE comprised 68 offices. The inspector general office has two primary roles and one of them is inspecting all the units on base. The CIGIE also provides specialized training to the inspector general community. Such offices are attached to many federal executive departments, independent federal agencies, as well as state and local governments. other considerations that the IG deems appropriate. Skip table of contents. Publicly Released: May 4, 2021. Their role is to monitor and inspect the agencies' effectiveness, assess possible mismanagement of a company, and improve the economy.

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