U.S. Department of Justice OIG
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is a statutorily created independent entity whose mission is to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in DOJ programs and personnel, and to promote economy and efficiency in those programs. The OIG investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws by DOJ employees and also audits and inspects DOJ programs. The Inspector General, who is appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation, reports to the Attorney General and Congress.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) consists of a front office, which is comprised of the Inspector General, the Deputy Inspector General, the Office of the General Counsel, and six major components. Each division is headed by an Assistant Inspector General. The OIG has a staff of approximately 500 employees, about half of whom are based in Washington, D.C., while the rest work from 17 Investigations Division field and area offices and 6 Audit Division regional offices located throughout the country.
The Audit Division is the OIG’s largest division and is made up of 200 skilled auditors, program analysts, statisticians and other operational staff. Through its multi-disciplined staff, the Audit Division conducts performance audits of Department programs and operations and oversees annual audits of over $35 billion in Department expenditures. The Division also conducts audits of external entities that receive Department funding through its various contracts and grant programs. These audits significantly assist the Department in its efforts to prevent waste, fraud and abuse, and to promote economy and efficiency in its operations. The Division’s robust oversight program is primarily driven by risk-based assessments of Department operations, as well as legal mandates, congressional requests, current events, and the Department’s Top Management and Performance Challenges as identified by the OIG each year.
The Investigations Division investigates alleged violations of fraud, abuse and integrity laws that govern DOJ employees, operations, grantees and contractors. Investigations Division Special Agents develop cases for criminal prosecution, civil, or administrative action.
The Evaluation and Inspections Division provides the Inspector General with an alternative mechanism to traditional audit and investigative disciplines to assess Department of Justice (Department) programs and activities. Much of the work results in recommendations to decision makers to streamline operations, reduce unnecessary regulations, improve customer service, and minimize inefficient and ineffective procedures. In addition to assessing Department programs, the Division conducts special reviews requested by the Inspector General or senior Department management that arise suddenly and need immediate attention.
The Oversight and Review Division blends the skills of attorneys, investigators, program analysts, and paralegals to conduct special reviews and investigations of sensitive allegations involving Department employees and operations. O&R’s reviews and investigations are often undertaken at the request of the Attorney General, senior Department managers, or Congress.
The Information Technology Division executes the OIG’s IT strategic vision and goals by directing technology and business process integration, network administration, implementation of computer hardware and software, cybersecurity, applications development, programming services, policy formulation, and other mission-support activities.
The Management and Planning Division provides the Inspector General with advice on administrative and fiscal policy and assists OIG components by providing services in the areas of planning, budget, finance, quality assurance, personnel, communications, procurement, facilities, telecommunications, security, and general support.
Top Management Challenges of DOJ have been:
2018 Challenges:
2017 Challenges:
Ongoing Work of DOJ OIG includes:
The OIG is conducting an audit of the USMS’s administration of Joint Law Enforcement Operations (JLEO) funds. Our preliminary objectives are to determine if the USMS: (1) has proper controls for JLEO funds reimbursement, and (2) reimburses State and local law enforcement for allowable and supported costs.
The Inspectors General of the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, and Treasury, and the Intelligence Community, are assessing the actions taken over the prior, most recent, 2-year period to carry out the requirements of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA). The Inspectors General, in consultation with the Council of Inspectors General on Financial Oversight, will jointly submit an interagency report to Congress. The objective of this project is to assess the actions taken to carry out CISA requirements during calendar years 2017 and 2018 and submit an unclassified, interagency report to Congress by December 2019. The information obtained from the Department will be provided to the IC IG for the joint report.
The OIG is auditing the ATF's contracts awarded to Shearwater Systems, LLC (Shearwater), to support violent gun crime reduction intelligence initiatives. The preliminary audit objectives are to assess: (1) ATF’s acquisition planning, administration, and oversight of the contracts and task orders; and (2) Shearwater’s performance and compliance with the contracts’ and task orders’ terms and conditions, including financial management, monitoring, reporting, and progress toward meeting the contract goals and objectives, as well as applicable laws and regulations.
The OIG is auditing the Department's efforts to protect BOP facilities against threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones. The preliminary objectives are to: (1) determine the extent to which the BOP can detect and track attempts to deliver contraband to BOP facilities via drones, and (2) assess the Department's current policies and efforts to protect BOP facilities against security threats posed by drones.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the Western New York Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (WNYRCFL) located in Buffalo, New York. The objectives of the audit are to assess: (1) the efficiency and effectiveness of the WNYRCFL’s performance; (2) the effectiveness of the WNYRCFL’s outreach and partnership with the law enforcement community; and (3) the WNYRCFL’s case management system and its efforts to address its service backlog.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the DEA's community-based efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The preliminary objectives are to: (1) examine the DEA’s pilot city-selection methodology, (2) assess the DEA’s integration of a performance measurement strategy to enhance its community-based efforts, (3) evaluate the DEA’s collaboration with other agencies in combatting the opioid crisis, and (4) assess the DEA’s efforts to sustain progress in the communities it assists.
The OIG initiated an audit of the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) financial management practices. The preliminary objective is to assess EOIR’s efforts to identify effectively its funding needs and execute its budget.
The OIG initiated an audit of the Intermountain West Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (IWRCFL) located in Salt Lake City, Utah, with satellite laboratories in Billings, Montana, and Boise, Idaho. The objectives of the audit are to assess: (1) the efficiency and effectiveness of the IWRCFL’s laboratory performance; (2) the effectiveness of the IWRCFL’s outreach and partnership with the law enforcement community; and (3) the IWRCFL’s case management system and its efforts to address its service request backlog.
The OIG initiated an audit of the FBI Child Pornography Victim Assistance Program. The objectives of the audit are to (1) evaluate the FBI's process for obtaining images of victimization, (2) evaluate the FBI's process for notifying victims of child pornography and their guardians, and (3) determine whether the FBI appropriately secured personally identifiable information pertaining to program operations.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the fiscal years (FY) 2017 and 2018 Superfund activities relating to the costs incurred by the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) in litigating Superfund cases. The objective of the audit is to determine if the ENRD provided an equitable distribution of total labor costs, other direct costs, and indirect costs to Superfund cases during FYs 2017 and 2018.
The OIG is auditing DOJ and select components Annual Financial Statements for fiscal year 2019. Pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, as expanded by Section 405(b) of the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, the OIG is required to perform an audit of the Department’s annual financial statements. Additionally, the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 requires an audit of the Assets Forfeiture Fund/Seized Asset Deposit Fund annual financial statements, and the Government Corporation Control Act of 1945, as amended, requires an audit of the Federal Prison Industries, Inc. annual financial statements. The OIG has contracted with the independent public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, to perform the audits.
The OIG initiated an audit with the objective of evaluating the U.S. Marshals Service’s awarding and administration of sole-source contracts.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the BOP's counterterrorism efforts. The preliminary objectives are to review the BOP’s policies, procedures, and practices for monitoring communications of inmates with known or suspected ties to domestic and foreign terrorism and its efforts to prevent further radicalization among its inmate population.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the BOP's contract awarded to DeTekion Security Systems, Inc., and the related initial contract actions to install non-lethal/lethal fence systems at nine United States Penitentiaries (USP). A non-lethal/lethal electrified fence has the capacity to administer a non-lethal shock to initially stun someone touching the fence and then switch to deliver a lethal shock if that person touches the fence a second time. The objectives are to: (1) evaluate BOP and contractor efforts on the design of the non-lethal/lethal fences installed at the nine USPs during the initial and current contract actions, (2) evaluate BOP’s price analysis of the fence upgrade contract, (3) assess BOP’s oversight of the fence upgrade contract, and (4) to evaluate BOP perimeter security strategy incorporated at the nine USPs that have DeTekion lethal/non-lethal fences.
The OIG is conducting a review of the BOP's efforts to address inmate-on-staff sexual misconduct. The review will assess the prevalence and impacts of inmate-on-staff sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, assault, and abuse, in BOP institutions from fiscal year (FY) 2008 through FY 2018.
The OIG is auditing a BOP contract awarded to Correct Care Solutions, LLC. The objectives of the audit are to assess the BOP's award and administration of the contract, and Correct Care Solutions, LLC’s performance and compliance with the terms, conditions, laws, and regulations applicable to this contract in the areas of: (1) contractor performance; (2) billings and payments; and (3) contract management, oversight, and monitoring.
The OIG initiated an audit of the USMS’s contract awarded to the GEO Group, Incorporated. The preliminary objective of the audit is to assess the USMS’s administration of the contract, and the GEO Group, Incorporated’s performance and compliance with the terms, conditions, laws, and regulations applicable to this contract. The assessment of performance may include financial management, monitoring, reporting, and progress toward meeting the contract goals and objectives.
The OIG is auditing DEA’s controls over weapons, munitions, and explosives, including firearms, Tasers, ammunition, less-lethal munitions, and diversionary devices. The preliminary objectives are to evaluate: (1) DEA’s controls over weapons, munitions, and explosives; (2) DEA’s compliance with policies governing weapons, munitions, and explosives; and (3) the accuracy of DEA’s weapons, munitions, and explosives inventories.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the DEA's income-generating undercover operations. The preliminary objectives are to evaluate the management and oversight of DEA’s income-generating operations with respect to: (1) the initiation and classification of these operations, (2) the controls over and use of funds during operations, and (3) the disposal of proceeds at the conclusion of these operations.
The OIG is auditing DEA’s prescription drug take back activities. The preliminary objective is to evaluate the DEA’s policies, procedures, and practices for the collection, custody, and disposal of prescription drugs.
The OIG is examining DOJ's compliance with reporting requirements under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, as amended by the DATA Act. Through memorandum M-15-12, Increasing Transparency of Federal Spending by Making Federal Spending Data Accessible, Searchable, and Reliable, the Office of Management and Budget provided guidance to federal agencies on the requirements that agencies must employ pursuant to the DATA Act. The OIG will review a statistically valid sampling of the fiscal year 2019 spending data submitted, and submit to Congress and make publicly available a report assessing the completeness, timeliness, quality, and accuracy of the data sampled.
The OIG is reviewing the Office of Justice Programs' efforts to address challenges in administering the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) programs. The review is expected to include (1) assessing systemic issues facing CVF grant administration and (2) evaluating actions OJP has taken to ameliorate programmatic issues identified through OIG work.
The OIG is auditing the FBI’s efforts to address homegrown violent extremists (HVE). The preliminary objectives are to: review the FBI's HVE casework and resource management; evaluate the FBI's coordination with relevant components and its strategic and tactical policies and processes to identify and assess HVE threats; and evaluate the FBI field divisions' implementation of strategic and tactical policies and processes to assess HVE threats.
The OIG, in response to requests from the Attorney General and Members of Congress, is examining the Department’s and the FBI’s compliance with legal requirements, and with applicable DOJ and FBI policies and procedures, in applications filed with the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) relating to a certain U.S. person. As part of this examination, the OIG is also reviewing information that was known to the DOJ and the FBI at the time the applications were filed from or about an alleged FBI confidential source. Additionally, the OIG is reviewing the DOJ’s and FBI’s relationship and communications with the alleged source as they relate to the FISC applications. If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider including other issues that may arise during the course of the review.
The OIG initiated an audit of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Recognition and Accreditation Program. The preliminary objectives are to determine whether EOIR: (1) established effective controls for the selection, vetting, and certification of accredited representatives under the program; (2) monitors the activities of accredited representatives; and (3) established adequate procedures for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct against accredited representatives.
The OIG is examining whether FBI’s misconduct investigations are handled according to policy throughout the adjudication process and how FBI determines when and how to revise its misconduct adjudication policies and process.
The OIG is auditing the FBI’s Confidential Human Source Program. The preliminary objectives are to: (1) assess the FBI’s management and oversight of its Confidential Human Source Program, to include the FBI’s oversight of payments to confidential human sources, (2) examine the FBI’s confidential human source policies to ensure consistency with the Attorney General Guidelines, and (3) assess the FBI’s process of determining reliability and appropriateness of confidential human sources.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the FBI’s contract awarded to Tuva, LLC. The preliminary objective of the audit is to assess the FBI’s administration of the contract, and Tuva, LLC’s performance and compliance with the terms, conditions, laws, and regulations applicable to this contract. The assessment of performance may include financial management, monitoring, reporting, and progress toward meeting the contract’s goals and objectives.
The OIG is auditing the FBI’s contracts awarded for covert activity. The preliminary objectives of the audit are to assess the FBI’s awarding and administration of these covert contracts and to evaluate the FBI’s procedures and processes for ensuring contractor performance and compliance with the terms, conditions, laws, and regulations applicable to these contracts.
The OIG is conducting an audit of the FBI's National Security Undercover Operations. The preliminary objectives are to evaluate: (1) the FBI’s oversight of national security-related undercover operations, and (2) the FBI’s efforts to recruit and train agents for these undercover operations.
The OIG is auditing the FBI's strategy and efforts to disrupt illegal dark web activities. The preliminary objective is to assess the implementation of the FBI’s dark web strategy.
The OIG is conducting the annual Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) evaluation for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The OIG will use independent certified public accounting firms, under its direction, to evaluate the specific requirements of the Office of Management and Budget’s FY 2018 guidelines and to complete the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2018 Reporting Metrics. FISMA requires that the OIG, or independent evaluators selected by the OIG, perform an annual independent evaluation of DOJ’s security programs and practices.
The OIG initiated its annual Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) evaluation for FY 2019. The OIG will use an independent certified public accounting firm, under its direction, to evaluate the specific requirements of the Office of Management and Budget’s FY 2019 guidelines and to complete the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2019 Reporting Metrics. FISMA requires that the OIG, or independent evaluators selected by the OIG, perform an annual independent evaluation of the Department's information security programs and practices.
The OIG is conducting an inspection and review of BOP’s management of the electrical and heating issues that occurred beginning in January 2019 at the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn. The OIG will assess how those issues occurred, whether BOP has in place adequate contingency plans for such an incident, and how they affected prisoners’ conditions of confinement and access to counsel. The OIG will also assess steps BOP management officials took to address and resolve those issues. If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider including other issues that may arise during the course of the inspection and review.
The OIG is conducting an audit of USMS's management of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS). The preliminary objective of the audit will be to evaluate USMS's efforts to achieve its strategic goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of JPATS prisoner and detainee transportation.
The OIG is auditing the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) corrective actions to resolve and close audit reports during FYs 2015 through 2017. The preliminary objective is to assess and summarize the corrective actions taken by OJP to close OIG audit recommendations issued in audit reports that were closed during FYs 2015 through 2017.
The Inspectors General of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security (DHS) are jointly reviewing cooperation primarily between the FBI, DHS’ Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices on criminal investigations along the U.S. Southwest border. This review will focus on deconflicting investigations and operations, as well as sharing information on investigations conducted by the FBI and HSI and prosecuted by U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
The OIG is reviewing the Department’s ability to meet its responsibilities under Emergency Support Function 13 (ESF-13) and to execute ESF-13 activities in response to natural and manmade disasters. OIG will assess Departmental policies and guidance; planning, preparation, training, and execution processes; and coordination among DOJ law enforcement components and non-DOJ support agencies in support of an ESF-13 activation.
The OIG is reviewing DOJ’s planning and implementation of its zero tolerance policy relating to prosecution of persons for entering the United States illegally in southwest border jurisdictions. The review also will assess the Department’s coordination with the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services on the policy’s implementation. Consistent with the Inspector General Act and the OIG’s role, the review will not substitute the OIG’s judgment for the judgments made by the Department regarding the substantive merits of the policy.
The OIG is reviewing the Department's strategic planning and accountability measures for combatting violent crime, including coordination across Department prosecution, law enforcement, and grant making components; and strategic planning for providing assistance to communities that are confronting significant increases in homicides and gun violence.
The OIG is assessing whether DEA’s regulatory activities and enforcement efforts effectively prevent the diversion of controlled substances, particularly opioids, to unauthorized users. Specifically, this review will examine (1) DEA’s enforcement regulations, policies, and procedures; (2) DEA’s use of enforcement actions involving manufacturers, distributors, physicians, and pharmacists who violate these policies and procedures; and (3) DEA’s coordination with state and local partners to combat the opioid epidemic.
The OIG is conducting a review of the BOP’s pharmaceutical drug costs for inmates. This review will examine the BOP’s drug rates and spending, its drug procurement process, and its effort to control rising drug costs. Included in this review is a more specific evaluation of the BOP’s management of Hepatitis C.
The OIG is reviewing the actions taken by the Department of Justice (Department), including the Executive Office for Immigration Review and Federal Bureau of Prisons, to expand the Institutional Hearing and Removal Program (IHRP). The review will assess the steps the Department took to expand the number of IHRP sites, enhance video teleconferencing capabilities, and coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security.
The OIG is conducting a review of the USMS's pharmaceutical drug costs for detainees. This review will examine the USMS’s process for and spending on drug procurement under the National Managed Care Contract, as well as its efforts to control rising drug costs.
The OIG is examining the U.S. Marshals Service's (USMS) Tactical Training Officer (TTO) Program that it established in 2011. The review