Today, Don R. Berthiaume was sworn in as Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
To begin his tenure as Inspector General, he announces today the release of the “Principles of Effective Oversight of the Department of Justice,” which articulates the framework the DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) uses to make oversight decisions, manage its oversight, and report oversight results to DOJ, Congress, and the public to fulfill its mission. These principles promote transparency and understanding regarding how the OIG carries out its statutory oversight responsibilities.
Mr. Berthiaume previously worked at the DOJ OIG for 10 years as an Investigative Counsel in our office’s Oversight and Review Division. He served as Acting Inspector General for DOJ between October 2025– January 2026, and most recently detailed as Senior Advisor.
”The measure of our success will be whether our work makes the Department of Justice stronger, more accountable, and better equipped to carry out its mission,” said Mr. Berthiaume. “That is the standard that will guide every member of this office, every day.”
Mr. Berthiaume has also served as Senior Counsel to Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as Section Chief of the Office of Compliance in the Drug Enforcement Administration. Earlier in his career, Mr. Berthiaume worked as an associate and an assistant district attorney.
The “Principles of Effective Oversight of the Department of Justice” is available on the OIG’s website.
Learn more about Inspector General Berthiaume on the OIG’s "Meet the Inspector General" page.