What is the function of offices of inspector general?

Congress enacted the Inspector General Act of 1978 (the “IG Act”) to combat fraud, abuse, and waste in the “programs and operations” of federal departments and agencies (see 5 U.S.C. app. 3).

Congress passed the IG Act after hearing evidence that fraud and waste had reached epidemic proportions within the Federal Government. Congress’s solution to the problem was the creation of Offices of Inspector General within executive agencies.

Function of the Offices of Inspector General

There currently exists fifty-eight such Offices of Inspector General. Although the IG Act does not define the terms “programs” and “operations,” the terms have been interpreted to authorize the audit and investigation of (1) federal fund recipients, such as contractors and grantees, to determine if they are complying with federal laws and regulations; and (2) the policies and actions of federal employees. See Authority of the Inspector General to Conduct Regulatory Investigations, 13 Op. Off. Leg. Counsel 63, 79 (March 9, 1989).

Congress has equipped the Offices of Inspector General with incredibly broad powers while requiring that they be independent from the federal agencies that they are obligated to oversee. In this regard, the Offices of Inspector General possess broad subpoena power in conducting its investigations. The courts are willing to enforce a subpoena issued by an Office of Inspector General upon a showing far less than the “probable cause” showing needed in search warrant situations. Consequently, the various Offices of Inspector General are well-equipped to uncover fraudulent activity on the part of those who contract with the Government.

In addition to uncovering defective pricing-type of violations, the Offices of Inspector General may uncover information that results in civil liability or criminal liability or both under the false claims or false statements statutes.

Case Studies: Insurance Applications in Support of Offices of Inspector General

Case Study 1: Professional Liability Insurance, ProtectPro Insurance

ProtectPro Insurance provided professional liability insurance coverage to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) responsible for overseeing a federal department. In the course of conducting investigations into potential fraud and waste, the OIG inadvertently released confidential information obtained during the investigation, resulting in reputational damage and potential legal liabilities.

Thanks to the professional liability insurance coverage provided by ProtectPro Insurance, the OIG was protected from the financial consequences of the data breach and could cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, or judgments associated with the incident.

Case Study 2: Crime Insurance, SecureGuard Insurance

SecureGuard Insurance provided crime insurance coverage to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) tasked with combating fraud and abuse in federal programs. During an investigation into a contractor’s fraudulent activities, it was discovered that the contractor had embezzled a significant amount of funds.

The OIG’s efforts led to the recovery of most of the embezzled funds, but there was still a financial loss. The crime insurance coverage provided by SecureGuard Insurance ensured that the OIG was indemnified for the remaining financial loss, allowing them to continue their important work without suffering a significant budgetary setback.

Case Study 3: Cyber Insurance, CoverageShield Insurance

CoverageShield Insurance provided cyber insurance coverage to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) responsible for investigating and preventing cybercrimes within a federal agency. During one investigation, the OIG’s internal systems were targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack, resulting in a breach of sensitive information and potential disruption of ongoing investigations.

The cyber insurance coverage provided by CoverageShield Insurance enabled the OIG to promptly respond to the incident, covering the costs of forensic investigations, data breach notification, credit monitoring services for affected individuals, and any legal liabilities arising from the breach.

The cyber insurance coverage helped the OIG mitigate the financial and reputational risks associated with the cyberattack, ensuring the continuity of their crucial investigative functions.