Inspector General Office, Agriculture Department

The Office of Inspector General was legislatively established in 1978 with the enactment of the Inspector General Act (Public Law 95-452). The act requires the Inspector General to independently and objectively perform audits and investigations of the Department's programs and operations; work with the Department's management team in activities that promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness or that prevent and detect fraud and abuse in programs and operations, both within USDA and in non-Federal entities that receive USDA assistance. The Office also reports OIG activities to the Secretary and the U. S. Congress semiannually as of march 31 and September 30 each year.