§ 2.12 - Office of the Inspector General.

(a) Mission. The Office of the Inspector General serves FEMA as an independent unit to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse; and to keep the Congress and the Director fully informed on these subjects.

(b) Functions. The principal functions of the Office of the Inspector General are:

(1) Performance of all audit functions relating to programs and operations of FEMA;

(2) Inspection of agency activities to identify actual or potential fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement and to develop recommendations for corrective action;

(3) Investigation of allegations of illegal, unethical, or other activities that may lead to civil or criminal liability on the part of FEMA or its employees, contractors, or program participants; and

(4) Referral of potential criminal prosecutions to the Department of Justice, under 28 U.S.C. 535.

(c) Authority. The position of Inspector General of FEMA is created by statute (The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 3 §§ 1-15). The Inspector General is authorized to exercise the duties and powers set forth in that statute.