OIG PROFILE

By Act of Congress, the OIG was established in the Department on April 14, 1989. The OIG investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws, regulations, and ethical standards arising from the conduct of the Department’s employees in their numerous and diverse activities. The OIG provides leadership and assists management in promoting integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the Department and in its financial, contractual, and grant relationships with others.

The OIG has jurisdiction to conduct audits and inspections throughout the entire Department. The OIG’s jurisdiction to conduct criminal or administrative investigations of misconduct by Department employees extends throughout most of the Department. However, Attorney General Order 1931-94 limits the OIG’s jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct against employees of the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as well as Department attorneys. According to the 1994 Order, the FBI’s Office of Professional Responsibility (FBI OPR) and the DEA’s Office of Professional Responsibility (DEA OPR) have jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct against employees of their agencies. The Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility (DOJ OPR) has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct against Department attorneys that relate to the attorneys’ exercise of their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice. The OIG may investigate other allegations of misconduct against Department attorneys. If assigned by the Deputy Attorney General, the OIG may investigate allegations of misconduct that are within the jurisdiction of the FBI OPR, DEA OPR, or DOJ OPR. The OIG consults with these offices when jurisdictional questions arise.

The OIG carried out its mission during this reporting period with a nationwide workforce of approximately 350 special agents, auditors, inspectors, attorneys, and support staff. For FY 2001 the OIG’s direct appropriation is $41.484 million. Additionally, the OIG expects to earn reimbursements of $1.5 million from the INS for audit and investigative oversight work of the INS User Fee account; $1.65 million from the Working Capital Fund and other Department components for oversight of financial statement audit work; and $1.25 million from the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) for trustee audits. The Department is seeking reimbursement for the OIG for its oversight of an annual independent evaluation of the Department’s information security program and practices as required by the Government Information Security Reform Act of 2001 (GISRA).

This Report reviews the accomplishments of the OIG for the 6-month period ending March 31, 2001. As required by Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act), as amended, this Report is submitted no later than April 30, 2001, to the Attorney General for his review. No later than May 31, 2001, the Attorney General is required to forward the Report to Congress along with his Semiannual Management Report to Congress, which presents the Department’s position on audit resolution and follow-up activity discussed in the Report.