Semiannual Report to Congress: October 1, 2003

Semiannual Report to Congress

October 1, 2003–March 31, 2004
Office of the Inspector General

Overview of the OIG

The OIG is a statutorily created, independent entity whose mission is to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct involving Department programs and personnel and to promote economy and efficiency in Department operations. The OIG investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws, regulations, and ethical standards arising from the conduct of Department employees in their numerous and diverse activities. The OIG also audits and inspects Department programs and assists management in promoting integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The OIG has jurisdiction to review the programs and personnel of the FBI, DEA, BOP, USMS, ATF, USAOs, and all other organizations in the Department.

The OIG consists of the Immediate Office of the IG and the following divisions and offices:

Audit Division is responsible for independent audits of Department programs, computer systems, and financial statements. The Audit Division has field offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Its Financial Statement Audit Office and Computer Security and Information Technology Audit Office are located in Washington, D.C. Audit Headquarters consists of the immediate office of the Assistant Inspector General for Audit, the Office of Operations, the Office of Policy and Planning, and an Advanced Audit Techniques Group.
Investigations Division is responsible for investigating allegations of bribery, fraud, abuse, civil rights violations, and violations of other criminal laws and administrative procedures governing Department employees, contractors, and grantees. The Investigations Division has field offices in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C. The Fraud Detection Office is also located in Washington, D.C. The Investigations Division has smaller, area offices in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, El Paso, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Tucson. Investigations Headquarters in Washington, D.C., consists of the immediate office of the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations and the following branches: Operations, Special Operations, Investigative Support, Research and Analysis, and Policy and Administration.
Evaluation and Inspections Division provides an alternative mechanism to traditional audit and investigative disciplines to evaluate and inspect Department programs and activities.
Office of Oversight and Review blends the skills of attorneys, investigators, and program analysts to review Department programs and to investigate sensitive allegations involving Department employees and programs.
Management and Planning Division assists OIG components in budget formulation and execution, security, personnel, training, travel, procurement, property management, information technology, computer network communications, telecommunications, strategic planning, and quality assurance and internal controls.
Office of General Counsel provides legal advice to OIG management and staff. It also drafts memoranda on issues of law; prepares administrative subpoenas; represents the OIG in personnel, contractual, and legal matters; and responds to Freedom of Information Act requests.

United States map indicating Audit and Investigations divisions geographic locations as of March 31, 2004. Locations of both Audit and Investigations divisions include San Francisco, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Locations of Investigations division only include Los Angeles, Tucson, El Paso, Houston, Miami, Detroit, New York, and Boston.

The OIG has a nationwide workforce of approximately 400 special agents, auditors, inspectors, attorneys, and support staff. For FY 2004, the OIG's direct appropriation is $60.8 million, and the OIG expects to earn an additional $2.5 million in reimbursements. The OIG also received $2.5 million from the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 108-11) - funds that remain available until September 30, 2004.

As required by Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act), as amended, this Semiannual Report to Congress reviewing the accomplishments of the OIG for the six-month period of October 1, 2003, through March 31, 2004, is to be submitted no later than April 30, 2004, to the Attorney General for his review. The Attorney General is required to forward the report to Congress no later than May 31, 2004, along with information on the Department's position on audit resolution and follow-up activity in response to matters discussed in this report.

Additional information about the OIG and full-text versions of many of its reports are available at www.usdoj.gov/oig.