EPA, IG Fight Over Investigative Authority Poses Barrier For Pact With FBI

摘要

EPA and its Inspector General (IG) are at an impasse over the IG's push for a definitive statement from the agency that the IG has sole authority to investigate national security cases within the agency, hindering their ability to reach a new pact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that could end uncertainty over the issue. A current memorandum of understanding (MOU) crafted by the FBI and the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) within EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy's office gives OHS sole investigative authority over national security and other intelligence matters at the agency. But IG Arthur Elkins, Jr. has long noted that OHS has no legislative authority for investigations, and that all security investigations fall within the powers of his office.