The Office of Investigations is comprised of Criminal Investigators and investigative support staff that are responsible for conducting criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of fraud and a variety of other allegations affecting USDA, USDA programs, and related crimes. The Office of Investigations’ top priorities include crimes impacting Health and Safety, Infrastructure, Inflation Reduction, Nutrition Programs, Farm Programs, Animal Care and Welfare, and Senior Management Level Misconduct. The Office of Investigations also manages a Hotline Unit, which assesses complaints received, and investigates whistleblower complaints, including those referred by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
About Office of Investigations
Criminal Investigators stationed in more than 50 offices nationwide conduct investigations in:
- Frauds in subsidy, price support, benefits, and insurance programs
- False claims
- Thefts of Federal Government property or funds
- False statements
- Conflict of interest
- Bribery (to influence an official act)
- Smuggling
- Gratuities
- Food safety
- Animal Welfare Act violations
- Assaults on employees, workplace violence
- Misconduct investigations, including of senior management at the GS-15, SES, and political appointee levels
- Issues involving classified materials, terrorism with a nexus to USDA programs and operations, USDA-related national security functions
- Violations affecting public health and safety
Investigative Priorities
Any suspected instances of fraud or mismanagement of funds should be reported to the Hotline Unit.
OIG Investigations is a law enforcement entity within USDA, with Department-wide investigative oversight jurisdiction and Federal law enforcement authority.
OIG Criminal Investigators conduct investigations of fraud, waste, and abuse involving USDA programs, operations, and personnel.
OIG Criminal Investigators are authorized to make arrests, execute warrants, and carry firearms.
Report violations of laws and regulations relating to USDA programs, particularly if you witness or have knowledge of any of the following:
- Criminal activity, such as: bribery, smuggling, theft, fraud, endangerment of public health or safety
- Mismanagement / waste of funds
- Animal fighting crimes
- Workplace violence
- Employee misconduct
- Conflict of Interest
Online
https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline
Call
Hotline: 800-424-9121
Hotline Local (DC): 202-690-1622
Hotline Fax: 202-690-2474
Write
United States Department of Agriculture
Office of Inspector General
P.O. Box 23399
Washington, D.C. 20026-3399
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America’s people, property, and institutions.
The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) is an independent entity established within the executive branch to address integrity, economy and effectiveness issues that transcend individual Government agencies and aid in the establishment of a professional, well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the Offices of Inspectors General.
