Justice Manual § 9-42.500

Policy Statement of the Department of Justice on its Relationship and Coordination with the Statutory Inspectors General of the Various Departments and Agencies of the United States: The investigation and prosecution of fraud and corruption in federal programs is a major priority of the Department of Justice. On June 3, 1981, the Deputy Attorney General issued a "Policy Statement of the Department of Justice on its Relationship and Coordination with the Statutory Inspectors General of the Various Departments and Agencies of the United States." The statement was first announced at a meeting of the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (Inspectors General group) and was the result of a combined effort of the Criminal Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.

The policy statement has two principal purposes: an early alert system for prosecutors relative to ongoing investigations and increased emphasis on coordination and cooperation between the FBI and the Inspectors General. Several particular provisions deserve special emphasis. Consistent with an Inspector General's obligation to "report to the Attorney General whenever the Inspector General has reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of law," the Inspector General is to report to "the United States Attorney in the District where the crime occurred." Simultaneously, the Inspector General is expected to notify the appropriate FBI field office. The FBI is committed to investigating every criminal violation which the prosecutor determines will be prosecuted, if proved.

The timing of the report to the prosecutor is discussed in the policy statement. In an ordinary investigation involving completed events, the policy statement simply tracks the Inspector General legislation and requires a report whenever there are reasonable grounds, i.e., some evidence to believe that a Federal crime has occurred. Immediate reporting is required for crimes of an ongoing nature and organized crime allegations. Such urgent and sensitive matters often require use of sophisticated investigative techniques, and the Inspector General is to make an immediate report upon receipt of the information. The policy statement requires the FBI to advise the appropriate Inspector General when it initiates an investigation and to keep the Inspector General regularly informed of its progress.