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Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Parent organization United States Department of Justice | ||
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Justice (DOJ) is the Office of the Inspector General specific to the United States Department of Justice that is responsible for conducting nearly all of the investigations of DOJ employees and programs. The office has several hundred employees, reporting to the Inspector General. The present Inspector General is Michael E. Horowitz, who has held the post since 2012.
The OIG conducts independent investigations, audits, inspections, and special reviews of United States Department of Justice personnel and programs to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct, and to promote integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in Department of Justice operations.
Specifically excluded from the authority of the OIG is jurisdiction related to the criminal or ethical conduct of DOJ employees who are attorneys. The Office of Professional Responsibility is responsible for oversight of attorneys employed by the DOJ.
Investigation related to 2016 election
Horowitz announced in January 2017 that the Inspector General's office would examine evidence related to "allegations of misconduct" regarding the way FBI Director James B. Comey "handled the probe of Hillary Clinton’s email practices" and whether Justice Department employees leaked information improperly. The incoming Trump administration could dismiss Horowitz, and a new Attorney General could shut down the investigation.