(B) to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in, such programs and operations and (A) to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of, and (2) to provide leadership and coordination and recommend policies for activities designed (1) to conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the establishments listed in section 12(2) In order to create independent and objective units. In 1978, Congress passed the Inspector General Act, which created OIGs within each federal agency.
It’s never easy to defend a client when the deck is stacked against you, and when you may be actively prevented from advocating for your client. You should also worry if you are the target’s lawyer, because defending someone in these investigations is complicated. The upshot is that you should worry about an OIG investigation if you are the target of the investigation. Maybe he can fine you or get you fired if you are a federal employee.īut I’ve seen OIG investigations ruin people’s decades-long careers and lead to criminal investigations and False Claims Act cases. He can’t charge you with a crime or throw you in jail. An inspector general has no criminal authority.
On first glance, investigations by a federal agency’s Office of Inspector General, or OIG, may seem like no big deal.