NCJ Number
74891
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This 1978 act creates the Office of Inspector General in 13 Government agencies and departments, details their duties and responsibilities, and mandates semiannual reports from each inspector general.
Abstract
Offices of the Inspector General are established in the following Federal entities to provide an independent unit responsible for promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, as well as for detecting fraud, and abuse in Government programs: the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, and Transportation, the Community Services Administration; the Environmental Protection Agency; the General Services Administration; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the Small Business Administration; and the Veterans' Administration. The director of each office shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate and report directly to the head of the agency involved. Each Inspector General shall appoint an assistant for auditing and one for investigations. Duties and responsibilities of the office are detailed, including policy direction regarding audits and investigations, reviews of legislation and regulations relating to program performance or detection of fraud and abuse, and recommendations to correct program deficiencies. Inspector Generals should coordinate their efforts with the Comptroller General. Semiannual reports on the activities of the office must be prepared no later than April 30 and October 31 of each year. These reports shall be submitted to the agency head and Congress, and then made available to the public. The powers of the Inspector General in obtaining information and cooperation in investigations are described, as are administrative arrangements. The Inspector General is also empowered to investigate employee allegations about irregular practices or dangers to the public without disclosing the employee's identity. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit semiannual reports to Congress summarizing the activities of the audit, investigative, and inspection units of the Department of Defense. The establishment of a task force to study the audit, investigative and inspection components of the department is also mandated. Individual departments which are to be transferred to the offices of Inspector General are listed. The bill was approved October 12, 1978. For 1980 amendments, see NCJ 74890.