State and federal agencies have inspector generals, whose responsibility is to uncover fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the government and to investigate and respond to allegations of wrongdoing, abuse, malfeasance, nonfeasance, breaches of fiduciary duties, and the like. Notable examples include the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of the Treasury. Although these inspector generals are limited to investigating their own agencies, they still possess enormous powers and are relied upon by Congress to be independent and conduct thorough and fact-based investigations. As such, inspector generals have the power to investigate private parties who, for instance, receive a government contract or grant from that agency. This can lead to information requests, subpoenas, and witness interviews. When faced with an inspector general inquiry, companies need experienced support to navigate what can be a complicated and potentially perilous process that can result in a government employee’s dismissal, the loss of pension and benefits, or even criminal referral to the Department of Justice.
Shook attorneys have extensive experience with inspector general investigations, from both their experience in government service and the representation of private parties. Drawing on this experience they can efficiently and effectively interface with inspector generals, respond to subpoenas and negotiate the scope of document productions, and prepare witnesses for interviews in pursuit of an amicable resolution that avoids loss of wages, pensions, benefits, or job termination.