November 2022

Federal Election Commission

Office of the Inspector General

SEMIANNUAL

REPORT to

CONGRESS

April 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20463

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

November 30, 2022

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Kamala D. Harris

Speaker of the House of Representatives President of the Senate

H-232 Capitol Building S-212 Capitol Building

Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Madam Speaker and Madam President:

Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the Federal Election 

Commission submits the Office of Inspector General’s Semiannual Report to Congress. The 

report summarizes the activity of the FEC Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) from 

April 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. 

During this reporting period, the OIG completed two special reviews. Management’s 

responses to those reviews are included in the management letters that report the results of the

special reviews. The OIG also reports it continued to work on two audits and a special review. 

OIG expects to issue final audit reports and conclude the special review in the next reporting 

period. 

The Commission appreciates and shares the Office of Inspector General’s commitment to 

sound financial and management practices and looks forward to continuing its cooperative 

working relationship as management takes appropriate measures to improve operations of the 

Commission. Copies of the Semiannual Report to Congress will be provided to the FEC’s 

oversight committees.

On behalf of the Commission,

Allen J. Dickerson

Chairman

Enclosure
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

TABLE of CONTENTS

Message from the Inspector General ................................................................................................... 1

OIG Personnel Updates...................................................................................................................... 3

FEC Office of Inspector General Organization Chart....................................................................... 4

OIG Core Values.................................................................................................................................. 5

Executive Summary................................................................................................................................ 6

OIG Audit Activity ...................................................................................................................................8

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity ......................................................................................... 11

OIG Hotline Activity ............................................................................................................................. 13

OIG Investigative Summaries................................................................................................................ 15

Other Matters – OIG Budget................................................................................................................18

Top Management Challenges............................................................................................................... 19

Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency .......................................................... 21

List of Training, Meetings & Conferences ........................................................................................... 22

Reporting Requirements...................................................................................................................... 26

Table I: Inspector General Issued Reports with Questioned Costs................................................ 27

Table II: Inspector General Issued Reports with Recommended Actions

That Funds Be Put to Better Use .................................................................................................. 28

Table III: Summary of Audit and Inspection Reports with Corrective Actions Outstanding......... 29

Table IV: Summary of Investigative Reports and Actions ............................................................... 29

Appendix A: Peer Review Results........................................................................................................ 30

Appendix B: Mission Statements ........................................................................................................ 31

Appendix C: OIG Hotline Poster..........................................................................................................32
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 1

Message from the Inspector General

I

t is with great pleasure that I present the Federal Election 

Commission (FEC) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) 

Semiannual Report to Congress for the period of April 1, 2022, 

to September 30, 2022. This report reflects the exceptional work of 

the FEC OIG team and their commitment to the critical mission of 

the OIG.

During the reporting period, the audit team continued to oversee 

the FY 2022 Financial Statement audit, which will be issued and 

finalized in November 2022. Additionally, the audit team completed 

special reviews of the FEC’s compliance with improper payments and 

the FEC’s Contracting Officers Representative (COR) Program. In FY 

2023, the OIG plans to conduct two audits (via contractual agreement), 

three special reviews of FEC operations, and an ongoing review of 

Commission directives.

The investigative team continues to respond to hotline complaints and conduct investigations. During the 

reporting period, the investigative team issued reports to the Commission concerning two investigations. One 

investigation involved an agency employee who reported a lost agency laptop and the other investigation involved 

alleged unreported outside employment by a senior agency employee. The investigative team remains committed 

to promoting accountability by responding to hotline complaints and investigating allegations of wrongdoing.

The previous reporting period identified eight outstanding recommendations from three audit-related 

engagements (one inspection, one special review, and one audit). No additional audit-related recommendations 

were identified during the reporting period; however, the investigative team identified five recommendations 

from one investigative report, of which four are now outstanding (more than six months). FEC staff closed six 

outstanding recommendations during the reporting period. Accordingly, seven OIG recommendations remain 

open. The OIG team will continue to work with the Commission and agency leaders to address open OIG 

recommendations.

During the reporting period, the FEC OIG proposed that Congress separately articulate the OIG’s budget 

within the FEC’s FY 2023 appropriations text to reinforce the independence and transparency of the OIG’s 

budget, as well as align the FEC’s appropriations language with the IG Act and with similarly situated agencies 

and OIGs. Indeed, Congress separately articulates most OIG budgets in appropriations bills. As such, the FEC 

OIG will continue to discuss this matter with stakeholders at the agency, OMB and Congress.
2 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OIG team demonstrated effective performance of the mission in a 

full- time telework environment. Accordingly, in efforts to encourage innovation, creativity, experimentation, 

and learning in a modern work environment that includes traditional, virtual, and hybrid settings, the FEC OIG 

will continue to authorize maximum telework and remote work (on a case-by-case basis). This work environment 

will promote a safe, healthy, and effective work setting for OIG personnel and allow for expanded flexibilities in 

work arrangements similar to modern private-sector strategies in efforts to enhance the FEC OIG’s ability to 

recruit and retain top talent.

Going forward, the FEC OIG remains committed to conducting audits and special reviews that 

strengthen the agency’s internal controls, addressing hotline complaints, resolving outstanding audit and 

investigative recommendations, and ensuring that the FEC and OIG programs evince a high level of integrity. I 

look forward to continuing to work with the FEC OIG team, the Commission, members of Congress, and my IG 

colleagues to provide oversight to the FEC on behalf of the American taxpayers. This Semiannual Report 

reflects the exceptional work of the FEC OIG team and their commitment to the critical mission of the OIG.

Christopher Skinner

Inspector General
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 3

OIG Personnel Updates

Additions:

None during this reporting period.

Farewells:

None during this reporting period.

Vacancies:

The OIG currently has one vacant position. The vacancy will be a top priority to fill in FY 2023, pending availability 

of funding.
4 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

FEC Office of the Inspector General

Organization Chart

Filled Vacant

* Administrative Officer reports to the Deputy IG, supports all FEC OIG staff in administrative matters, and

reports to the IG for purposes of managing the IG’s schedule and related items.

Updated: March 2022

Senior

Auditor

Senior

Auditor

Program

Analyst

Senior

Investigator

*Administrative

Officer

Deputy Inspector

General (SL)

Dennis Phillips

Vacant

Inspector

General (SL)

Christopher Skinner

Senior Counsel
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 5

Commitment

We are committed to continually seek personal 

and operational growth opportunities to 

preserve the positive reputation of the OIG. 

We pledge our dedication to persistently 

enhance our skillsets in efforts to uphold the 

integrity of the FEC.

Respect

We are devoted to creating a professional 

and positive work environment in which all 

colleagues and stakeholders are treated with 

the utmost respect. We welcome, value, and 

embrace the diversity of everyone and behave 

respectfully to all with whom we interact.

Service

We pride ourselves in providing a nonconfrontational, value-added service to 

customers through objective, accurate, and 

timely evaluations of OIG inquiries in support 

of FEC operations and procedures.

Honesty

We are honest, fair, and true to ourselves, 

to each other, and to our customers, which 

is reflected in our reputation. We behave 

with the highest levels of integrity, which is 

fundamental to who we are as a team.

Collaboration

We strive to collaborate and build key 

relationships within the OIG community 

and the FEC in order to improve program 

operations, efficiencies, and effectiveness. 

We universally work together to identify 

potential opportunities to partner with OIG 

stakeholders in efforts to resolve Government 

wide concerns and maximize the value to the 

citizens of the United States.

Balance

We aim to balance customer needs with the 

mission of the OIG and FEC while assuring 

all endeavors of our work reflect transparent 

and unbiased processes. We apply this 

practice through our application of due 

regard for our peers, our beliefs, our family, 

and our stakeholders.

Core Values
6 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Executive Summary

The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (IG Act), states that the Inspector General (IG) is responsible for 

conducting audits and investigations; recommending policies and procedures that promote economy, efficiency, 

and effectiveness of agency resources and programs; and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement.

The IG Act requires that the IG provide a means for keeping the head of its respective establishment (i.e., the 

“FEC” or “Commission”) and the Congress fully and currently informed of problems relating to the administration 

of FEC programs and operations through regular reports. Additionally, IGs are required to report to their respective 

establishments particularly serious or flagrant problems, abuses, or deficiencies relating to the administration of agency 

programs and operations.

This semiannual report provides the major accomplishments of the FEC OIG, as well as relevant information 

regarding additional OIG activities. The executive summary highlights the most significant completed activities of 

the OIG from April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022. Additional details pertaining to each activity (e.g., audits, hotline, 

investigations, and special reviews) can be found in subsequent sections of this report. The FEC OIG staff relies and 

acts on its OIG Core Principles (honesty, collaboration, commitment, balance, service, and respect) and the CIGIE 

standards to ensure the integrity of all FEC OIG work products.

OIG Audit Activity

FY 2022 Financial Statement Audit 

During the reporting period, the independent public accountants (IPA), Brown & Company, PLLC commenced 

the agency’s FY 2022 Financial Statement audit. The entrance conference was held on April 7, 2022, and they are in 

the process of completing interim testing. Final audit testing will be performed during October and early November 

2022, followed by the draft report to management and the exit conference. The OIG anticipates completing the audit 

on-time, providing no unforeseen delays, and issuing the final audit report by the mandated date of November 15, 2022.

The IPA is also required by the FEC OIG’s contract to conduct additional testing on information systems (IT) 

controls, as the FEC is exempt from the Federal Information Systems Management Act (FISMA). Additionally, the 

IPA conducts a review of outstanding recommendations related to IT controls. Results of the IT assessment will be 

included in the audit report and/or management letter. 

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity

The OIG has the responsibility to perform follow-up assessments to ensure that management has effectively 

implemented OIG recommendations. The OIG follows up on all FEC recommendations that have been outstanding for 

more than six months and identifies the progress management has made in addressing such recommendations to date.

The OIG continues to follow up with management to address outstanding recommendations. As a result, a total of 

six recommendations were closed during this reporting period. As of September 30, 2022, there are seven outstanding 

recommendations resulting from one inspection, one special review and one investigation. (See complete details in 

Table III: Summary of Audit/Review/Inspection and Investigation Reports with Corrective Actions Outstanding).
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 7

OIG Hotline Activity and Investigations

The OIG manages its complaints primarily through the online hotline portal, through which members of the public 

and agency employees may submit matters to the OIG. During this reporting period, the OIG received and closed 

18 new hotline complaints, ending the reporting period with zero open hotline complaints. No outstanding hotline 

complaints remained from the prior reporting period.

During the reporting period, the investigative team completed four investigations, two of which resulted in reports 

issued to the Commission. 

The first investigation concerned an allegation that a senior agency employee was engaged in outside employment 

without agency approval or disclosure in violation of federal regulations and FEC rules. Investigation of the matter 

determined the allegation was not substantiated because the employment at issue preceded (and ended prior to) the 

subject’s agency employment. An investigative summary was published to our webpage. 

The second investigation was based on a report that an agency employee with the Office of General Counsel had 

lost their FEC laptop and may have failed to promptly report the loss in accordance with FEC policy. The investigation 

did not find that the employee violated FEC policy concerning the transportation and control of FEC information 

resources. However, during the investigation, the employee made numerous conflicting and incomplete statements 

and refused to cooperate with OIG investigators. The employee resigned from FEC employment during the course 

of the investigation. In addition, the OIG recommended improvements to agency policies concerning transporting 

and reporting lost information resources, which the agency promptly implemented. An investigative summary was 

published to our webpage.

The third investigation involved alleged Hatch Act violations, which are the purview of the Office of Special 

Counsel. Accordingly, we referred the matter to the Office of Special Counsel.

The fourth investigation was a preliminary inquiry into a complaint received during a prior reporting period that 

we closed without further investigation because the preliminary inquiry identified no evidence of misconduct.

Other Matters – OIG Budget

During the reporting period, the FEC OIG proposed that Congress separately articulate the OIG’s budget within 

the FEC’s FY 2023 appropriations text to reinforce the independence and transparency of the OIG’s budget, as well 

as align the FEC’s appropriations language with the IG Act and with similarly situated agencies and OIGs. Indeed, 

Congress separately articulates most OIG budgets in appropriations bills.

Top Management Challenges

In accordance with the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, we identify the most serious management and 

performance challenges facing the Commission and provide a brief assessment of the Commission’s progress in 

addressing those challenges. Each challenge area is related to the FEC’s mission and reflects continuing vulnerabilities 

and emerging issues. The following identifies the FEC’s most significant management and performance challenges in 

our FY 2022 report, which is based on our experience and observations from our oversight work:

1. Growth of campaign spending

2. Identifying and regulating unlawful foreign contributions

3. Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

4. Senior leadership salary structure

5. Cybersecurity

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
8 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

OIG Audit Activity

Title: FY 2022 Financial Statement Audit

Assignment Number: OIG-22-01

Status: In progress

The OIG exercised the third option year of our five-year contract with Brown & Company, PLLC to perform the 

agency’s 2022 financial statement audit. During this reporting period, the entrance conference was held on April 7, 

2022, which kicked off the planning phase of the audit. The start of field work and interim testing began in June 2022. 

Brown & Company is currently in the process of completing interim and compliance testing, assessing information 

technology (IT) internal controls, and following-up on the status of prior years’ IT audit findings and recommendations. 

As in prior years, the IPA is required by the FEC OIG’s contract to conduct additional testing on IT controls, as the 

FEC is exempt from the Federal Information Systems Management Act (FISMA) and is not required to perform the 

annual FISMA audit.

Final audit testing will be performed during October and early November 2022, followed by the draft report to 

management and exit conference. The OIG anticipates completing the audit on-time, providing no unforeseen delays, 

and issuing the final audit report by the mandated date of November 15, 2022.

Title: Audit of the FEC’s Human Capital Management

Assignment Number: OIG-22-02

Status: In progress

The Audit of FEC’s Human Capital Management commenced during this reporting period. This audit is the first 

engagement under a 5-year Blanket Purchase Agreement that was awarded to Brown & Company. The primary purpose 

of this audit is to determine if FEC’s human capital management program is adequate to ensure the strategic plan and 

mission of the agency is achieved and aligned with OPM’s Human Capital Framework (HCF). This engagement is being 

conducted as a performance audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS).

The scope of this engagement will focus on the FEC’s workforce staffing plan and performance management as 

of September 30, 2022. The preliminary objectives are as follows:
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 9

■ Assess whether workforce staffing models and performance matrix are adequate to achieve strategic goals

and objectives.

■ Assess the sufficiency of agency manpower resources to meet the increased demands of campaign finance

oversight and enforcement.

■ Determine if there are any agency-wide skill gaps (staffing or competency).

■ Assess the effectiveness of employee performance management, including within a hybrid/virtual work

environment.

The entrance conference was held on September 12, 2022. We are in the beginning stages of planning and 

anticipate completing the audit and publishing the audit results during the next reporting period.

Title: OIG Special Review of the Federal Election Commission 

(FEC) Contracting Officers Representative Program

Assignment Number: SR-22-01

Status: Complete

The OIG completed a special review of the FEC’s contract officer representative (COR) management program 

during this reporting period. The primary objective of this special review was to assess FEC policies and procedures 

around COR management to ensure that current internal controls are adequate and that the program complies with 

relevant federal laws and regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) Office of Federal Procurement Policy’s (OFPP) “Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification 

for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR), and FEC policies and procedures.

Our review concentrated on the COR certification process and COR training. We selected a random sample of 10 

(22%) active employees serving as CORs during the period of FY 2019 to FY 2021. Based on the work performed, all 

CORs selected for testing had an approved COR Designation Letter and obtained the proper COR certification level 

and required Continuous Learning (CL) points. We concluded that the FEC has implemented applicable FAC-COR 

requirements. However, the FEC OIG proposed two recommendations to enhance alignment with the FAC-COR 

and improve the operating effectiveness of COR monitoring controls. We recommended:

1. That the Procurement Office should memorialize the COR certification tracking procedures it has

implemented.

2. That the Procurement Officer should, in the course of certifying CORs, encourage supervisors to include

COR activities in performance plans for employees with COR responsibilities at Level II and III. In

addition, the Procurement Officer should consider including related language in the standard COR

designation letters.

A management letter was issued on May 26, 2022, to communicate the results of this special review.

OIG AUDIT ACTIVITY
10 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Title: The Federal Election Commission’s Compliance with 

Improper Payments Reporting for Fiscal Year 2021

Assignment Number: SR-22-02

Status: Complete

This special review was completed by the FEC OIG during this reporting period. This special review satisfies the 

OIG’s FY 2021 annual review of the FEC’s compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA). 

This review was conducted in accordance with the requirements in the OMB Circular A-123, Appendix C (March 

2021), OMB Circular A-136 (August 10, 2021), OMB Annual Data Call Instructions, OMB Payment Integrity Question 

and Answer Platform, and the CIGIE Guide for PIIA.

The purpose of this special review was to evaluate whether the agency has complied with the PIIA and other 

applicable payment integrity guidance which includes publishing the appropriate improper payments information with 

the annual Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) or Annual Financial Report (AFR) along with accompanying 

materials for the most recent fiscal year. To accomplish this review, the OIG reviewed the agency’s payment integrity 

section and other improper payment disclosure sections of the FEC FY 2021 AFR posted on the agency’s website. The 

OIG also examined the most recent improper payment risk assessment and other relevant workpapers included in the 

FEC’s FY 2021 Financial Statement Audit.

Based on work performed, the OIG concluded the FEC complied with the applicable requirements outlined in the 

PIIA and OMB guidance. Specifically, the OIG determined that the agency had no programs susceptible to significant 

improper payments. However, we made one recommendation for improving improper payment reporting to better 

align with OMB’s standard language, which provides that the agency adequately concluded whether the program is 

not likely to make improper payments and unknown payments above or below the statutory threshold. The FEC OIG 

issued a management letter on May 12, 2022, to report the results of this special review.

Title: Special Review of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) related to nonFECA law enforcement inquiries

Assignment Number: SR-22-03

Status: In progress

This special review was selected based on coordination challenges identified by external agency law enforcement 

personnel and in accordance with Section (4) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. The primary purpose 

is to assess whether the FEC has adequate policies and procedures to respond in a timely and effective way to nonFECA inquiries made by law enforcement. We anticipate completing the review and publishing the results during the 

next reporting period.

OIG AUDIT ACTIVITY
OIG AUDIT/REVIEW FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 11

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity

1 During the reporting period, the audit and review team published two special reviews which identified three open recommendations which 

remain open. Those recommendations are less than six months outstanding and thus not documented in this report.

2 During the relevant period, the investigative team published two investigative reports which identified six open recommendations. FEC staff 

closed all six recommendations during the period and thus they are not documented in this report. 

3 As of September 30, 2022, the OIG has 10 open recommendations (three of which are less than six months outstanding).

Title: OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity

Assignment Number: N/A

Status: In progress

Arequired by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the OIG is responsible for, among other things, 

conducting and supervising audits, inspections, and special reviews of the FEC’s programs and operations.

Additionally, the OIG has the responsibility to perform follow-up assessments to ensure that management 

has effectively implemented OIG recommendations. The OIG follows up on all recommendations that have been 

outstanding for more than six months and identifies the progress management has made in addressing such 

recommendations to date. Accordingly, the figures detailed herein do not include any recommendations less than six 

months old.

The previous reporting period identified eight outstanding recommendations from three audit-related engagements 

(one inspection, one special review, and one audit).1

 No additional audit-related recommendations were identified during 

the reporting period; however, the investigative team identified five recommendations from one investigative report, 

of which four are now outstanding (more than six months).2 FEC staff closed six outstanding recommendations during 

the reporting period. There are seven outstanding recommendations resulting from one inspection, one special review, 

and one investigation as of September 30, 2022.3 The list of audits, inspections, special reviews, and investigations is 

detailed below: 

1. Inspection of the FEC’s Disaster Recovery Plan and Continuity of Operations Plans (outstanding 8.5 years)

2. TranServe Special Review (outstanding 2 years)

3. Investigation I21INV00037 (outstanding 1 year)
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

5

3

1

5

2

4

1

2

3

OIG RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

Progress Report from April 2022 to September 2022

Number of Recommendations

Recommendations Activity by FEC Office from April 2022

to September 2022 (> 6 months old)

■ Total Closed Recommendations Since April 2022

■ Current Open Recommendations

OGC OHR

FEC Office

OCIO

13 

6 

7 

4 

8 

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

5 

8

Total Open Recommendations

as of April 2022

Total Closed

Recommendations

Current Open

Recommendations

new recommendations

12 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 13

OIG Hotline Activity

4 The OIG also receives communications that do not rise to the level of complaints because they are not OIG specific and/or fail to state a complaint; 

we classify those as OIG Contacts for reporting purposes. During the reporting period, the OIG received and responded to 23 OIG Contacts.

The OIG hotline provides a means for FEC employees, FEC contractors, and the public to communicate directly 

and confidentially with the OIG regarding allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct. 

Additionally, the OIG may open a hotline complaint based on information received from members of Congress, 

FEC management, or the results of an audit or review.

Persons who seek to submit complaints have three methods of submitting their inquiry: (1) the hotline portal, 

which is accessible through the OIG webpage; (2) the OIG hotline form (which can be mailed to the OIG’s physical 

address); and (3) the OIG hotline telephone, which is actively monitored during business hours.

During this reporting period, the OIG received and closed 18 new hotline complaints, ending the reporting period 

with zero open hotline complaints. No outstanding hotline complaints remained from the prior reporting period.4 

The OIG takes all matters received on the hotline seriously. Accordingly, we carefully analyze all information 

received to determine the appropriate course of action. Those courses of action include but are not limited to:

■ Opened for investigation – Issue involves an FEC employee, program/process, and alleges a violation of 

an applicable law, rule, or regulation.

■ OIG referral to management for action – Issue is more suitably handled by management; OIG refers to 

management for action deemed appropriate.

■ OIG referral to another existing FEC program/process (i.e., OGC, EEO, HR) – Existing process 

exists to resolve the issue; OIG refers the matter to relevant program/process for action deemed appropriate.

■ OIG referral to external agency – Issue is best handled by another agency that has cognizance over the 

matter and/or it warrants criminal investigation/prosecution. OIG refers to relevant agency for action deemed 

appropriate.

■ OIG referral to the OIG audit or special review process – The issue identifies compliance or internal 

control concerns regarding specific agency operations but does not warrant OIG investigation. OIG refers 

internally for potential audit or review.

■ Assist complainant – OIG determines the complaint is best handled by an existing process and/or entity 

that is available to the complainant. OIG notifies the complainant of that process.

■ Closed with no further action – Complaint is frivolous, has already been addressed, provides insufficient 

detail to act, or otherwise warrants no further OIG action. OIG advises complainant that the matter is not 

within the OIG’s cognizance, when appropriate.
14 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

OIG Course of Action - Hotlines Closed

Opened for investigation 2

OIG referral to FEC management 0

OIG referral to existing FEC program/process 0

OIG referral to external agency 2

OIG referral to OIG audit/special review 0

Assist complainant 9

Closed with no action 5

Total Hotlines Closed 18

OIG HOTLINE ACTIVITY
AUDIT ACTIVITIES

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 15

OIG Investigative Summaries 

OIG investigations gather and analyze facts to resolve allegations of wrongdoing. OIG investigations may address 

administrative, civil, and criminal violations of laws, regulations, and policies and issues concerning the 

economy and efficiency of FEC operations and programs. The subject of an OIG investigation may include 

any agency employee, FEC contractor, consultant, or person or entity involved in alleged wrongdoing affecting FEC 

programs and operations.

As previously noted, the OIG evaluates all hotline complaints to determine if an investigation is warranted. 

OIG investigations involve a detailed analysis of the issues presented, as well as emerging issues identified by the 

OIG. That analysis includes, but is not limited to obtaining pertinent agency records, performing computer material 

examinations, and interviewing witnesses and subjects. Occasionally, open investigations may be closed without a 

Report of Investigation (ROI) due to, among other things, refuting evidence or lack of evidence obtained and/or the 

level of severity of the allegation(s). Additionally, competing priorities may indicate that an allegation of wrongdoing is 

better addressed by management than by OIG investigation.

If the OIG determines to proceed and prepare an ROI, that report will provide a summary of the complaint, 

document the specific allegation(s), the law(s) or regulation(s) associated with the allegation(s), the objective description 

of the case facts, and a conclusion of investigative findings (i.e., substantiated or not substantiated). In addition, where 

appropriate, the report addresses potential improvements to the economy and efficiency of FEC programs and 

operations. The OIG previously reported six investigations as of March 31, 2022. During the reporting period, two new 

investigations were opened, four investigations were closed, and four investigations remain open with two currently 

put on hold pending ongoing litigation.

During the reporting period, the investigative team completed four investigations: two in which the OIG issued 

reports to the Commission, one in which the OIG closed and referred a part of the allegations to the Office of Special 

Counsel (OSC), and one in which the OIG closed with no further action because a preliminary inquiry determined 

no violation occurred.
16 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

OIG INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARIES

The first completed investigation concerned an allegation that a senior agency employee was engaged in outside 

employment without agency approval or clearance in violation of federal regulations and FEC rules. Investigation 

of the matter determined the allegation was not substantiated because the employee in question was not engaged in 

outside employment while also an FEC employee. The OIG made no recommendation in that case and an investigative 

summary was published to our webpage. 

The second completed investigation was based on a referral that an agency employee with the Office of General 

Counsel had lost their FEC laptop and may have failed to promptly report the loss in accordance with FEC policy. 

The investigation did not find that the employee violated FEC policy concerning the transportation and control of 

FEC information resources, as the policy’s requirements for transporting devices and reporting stolen devices were 

vague and ambiguous. During the investigation, the employee made numerous conflicting and incomplete statements 

and refused to cooperate with OIG investigators. The employee resigned from FEC employment during the course 

of the investigation. The OIG developed one recommendation to ensure the FEC provides clear policy concerning 

the transportation of devices and the reporting of lost or stolen devices, which the agency promptly implemented. An 

investigative summary was published to our webpage.

The third investigation involved alleged Hatch Act violations, which are the purview of the Office of Special 

Counsel. Accordingly, we referred the matter to the Office of Special Counsel.

The fourth investigation was a preliminary inquiry into a complaint received during a prior reporting period that 

we closed without further investigation because the preliminary inquiry identified no evidence of misconduct.

6

2

4 4

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

FEC OIG Status of Investigations

(April 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022)

Open Investigations

as of March 31, 2022

Opened Investigations

(April 1, 2022–

September 30, 2022)

Closed Investigations

(April 1, 2022–

September 30, 2022)

Open Investigations

as of September 30, 2022
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 17

OIG INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARIES

Closed Investigations - Courses of Action

(April 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022) # of Investigations

Investigations closed with ROI released to Commissioners 2

ROI completed and released to Commissioners and referred to local 

state authorities 0

Investigations closed with Management Alert Memorandum (requesting 

management to follow up with actions taken, if any) 0

Investigations closed with Closing Memorandum but not provided to 

management due to insufficient evidence 2

Investigations closed and referred to OIG audit/special review program 0

Referrals to DOJ for federal prosecution 0

Totals 4
18 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Other Matters - OIG Budget

Beginning in FY 2022, the FEC OIG proposed that Congress separately articulate the OIG’s budget within the 

FEC’s appropriations language. Doing so would reinforce the independence and transparency of the OIG’s budget, 

as well as align the FEC’s appropriations language with the IG Act and with similarly situated agencies and OIGs.

By way of background, the IG Act was amended in 2008 to require specific budget itemizations that must be 

transmitted by each OIG to the President and to Congress via their respective agencies (here, the Commission). 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the FEC’s appropriation text has not separately articulated the OIG’s budget. Although 

the IG Act does not expressly require separate budget articulation in appropriations bills for designated federal entity 

OIGs (such as the FEC OIG), doing so would promote transparency as well as the public’s trust in the independence 

of the OIG.

Separately articulating the OIG’s budget within the FEC’s appropriation text would align the FEC OIG with most 

other federal agency OIGs. The FEC OIG recently conducted an informal review of federal agency OIG appropriations 

and found that a majority (approximately 61%) had either a separate appropriation from their respective agencies or an 

earmark within their agencies’ appropriations.

Ultimately, although the FY 2022 Appropriations draft House bill included a separate articulation of the FEC 

OIG’s budget, that provision was not in the final FY 2022 Appropriations bill that became law. The FEC OIG intends 

to continue to work with the Commission, OMB, and Congress to pursue this proposal in FY 2023 and strongly urges 

Congress to consider separately articulating the budget for the FEC OIG in future appropriations bills.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 19

Top Management Challenges

I

n accordance with the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, in early FY 2022 we identified the most serious 

management and performance challenges facing the Commission and provided a brief assessment of the Commission’s 

progress in addressing those challenges. Each challenge area is related to the FEC’s mission and reflects continuing 

vulnerabilities and emerging issues. The following summarizes FEC’s most significant management and performance 

challenges in our FY 2022 report, which is based on our experience and observations from our oversight work:

1. Growth of campaign spending – The FEC was established nearly fifty years ago to provide oversight 

of federal campaign finance. Since then, federal campaign fundraising and spending have increased 

dramatically, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC in 2010. 

Indeed, total spending on federal election campaigns has increased from $1.6 billion in 1998 to roughly 

$14.5 billion in 2020. However, the FEC’s budget has remained largely static over the past decade or more 

(and even decreased when accounting for inflation). That dynamic has placed great strain on the FEC staff 

and creates significant risks to the FEC.

2. Identifying and regulating unlawful foreign contributions – Identifying and regulating unlawful 

foreign contributions pose a significant challenge to the FEC. As committee expenditures and the number 

of transactions subject to FEC regulation and oversight increase, potential contributions by foreign 

nationals also increase, which demands greater scrutiny by agency regulators. However, a recent OIG 

report found that the FEC’s practice of relying on filers’ self-certifications concerning potential foreign 

contributions poses a national security risk and provides insufficient oversight of possible illegal foreign 

donations. Indeed, numerous recent cases highlight the risk of unlawful foreign influence in U.S. elections.

3. Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced the FEC, and 

many other agencies, to operate in a remote status since March 2020. As federal workers begin returning 

to their offices in more significant numbers, their health and safety remains a top concern. The FEC is 

currently piloting a hybrid return-to-work schedule, though the impact on agency operations and potential 

new developments with COVID-19 are not fully known. 
20 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

4. Senior leadership salary structure – Currently, the senior leadership roles of the Staff Director 

and Chief Information Officer (CIO) are occupied by the same individual and have been since August 

2011. Information technology is ever-evolving, which affects all government agencies and without a fully 

dedicated CIO to focus on technological issues to ensure resources are properly allocated and adequate 

processes are in place for the protection and safeguards of the agency, the agency will remain at risk. 

Similarly, the Deputy General Counsel for Law is concurrently serving as the Acting General Counsel 

and has been doing so since September 2016. This has potential to put the agency at risk and inhibit the 

agency’s ability to effectively and efficiently meet its mission requirements; robust internal dialogue and 

diversity of opinion are essential to ensuring the agency considers competing legal theories and courses of 

action. Filling the CIO and General Counsel positions with full-time incumbents would help ensure the 

FEC is effectively and efficiently supporting its overall mission objectives.

5. Cybersecurity - Protecting data, systems, and networks from threats remains a top challenge. The 

FEC was established to protect the integrity of federal campaign finance by providing transparency and 

enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws. In doing so, the FEC discloses campaign 

finance data to the public and as a result, encounters large volumes of webpage traffic from stakeholders 

and members of the public. In efforts to streamline transparency initiatives and improve business 

processes, the Commission is more technology reliant today, as is society; as such, it is imperative that the 

Commission continue to prioritize cybersecurity.

TOP MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 21

Council of the Inspectors General on

Integrity and Efficiency

Mr. Christopher Skinner, the Inspector General, attends CIGIE monthly meetings as well as CIGIE sponsored 

conferences and professional development seminars. Mr. Skinner is an active member of the CIGIE 

Technology Committee and Budget Committee. He also serves on the IG Candidate Panel, reviewing 

candidates interested in presidential appointment, needing Senate confirmation (PAS), or for Designated Federal Entity 

(DFE) Inspector General Positions. 

Mr. Dennis Phillips, the Deputy Inspector General, participates in the Deputy Inspectors General quarterly 

meetings and OIG investigative meetings. 

Ms. Carla Smith, Senior Counsel, participates in the following recurring meetings: CIGIE Legislative Committee, 

Counsel to the OIG, Counsel to the small OIG, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Professional Development 

Committee (PDC). Carla currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Leadership Innovation Subcommittee. In this 

position, she assists in developing community-wide forums and events that foster continual innovation and knowledge 

sharing in leadership development for the OIG community.

Ms. Shellie Purnell-Brown, Senior Auditor, participates in the Enterprise Risk Management working group.
22 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

List of Trainings, Meetings & Conferences

The chart below provides a list of trainings, meetings, programs, seminars, and/or conferences 

attended by the IG and the OIG staff for the period April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Ability One SES Executive Resources Board (ERB)

AETNA Retirement Planning & Resources: Understanding Medicare/

Medicaid

Audit Board Tackling Fraud in Today's Dynamic Risk Environment

Association of Certified Fraud 

Examiners (ACFE) Virtual ACFE Conference

Association of Certified Fraud 

Examiners (ACFE) District 

of Columbia Chapter

Identifying Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Grant Programs

Association of Certified Fraud 

Examiners (ACFE) Maryland 

Chapter

Fraud Conference

Bureau of the Fiscal Service

G-Invoicing Performance Webinar

Treasury’s 2022 Virtual Government Financial Management 

(GFMC) Conference

Congress Committee on House Administration

Council of the Inspectors 

General on Integrity

and Efficiency (CIGIE)

2022 CIGIE Annual IG Conference

2022 CIGIE/GAO Financial Statement Audit Conference

Becoming & Leading as a Senior Executive (SES/SL)

Budget Committee Member Meetings 

Business Diversity Subgroup Meetings 

Candidate Panel Review
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 23

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Council of the Inspectors 

General on Integrity and 

Efficiency (CIGIE)

(cont.)

Coaching

Connect, Collaborate and Learn the Power of Data Analytics 

DEI&A Group, Business Supplier Diversity Workgroup

Deputy Inspector General Quarterly Meeting

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Monthly Meeting

ERM to Drive Programmatic Success Virtual Workshop

ERM Quarterly Working Group

Freedom of Information Act Meeting

GSA FEDRAMP Seminar

Infrastructure Working Group

Investigations Committee / Assistant Inspector General for 

Investigations Committee (IC / AIGI) Quarterly Meeting

Investigative Writing Training (IWTP) Program

Jumpstarting Inspections and Evaluations

Legislative Committee Meeting 

Looking to the Future Third Annual Symposium of the CIGIE 

Technology Committee’s Emerging Technology Subcommittee

Monthly Meeting with Inspectors Generals

Monthly Meeting with Counsel

Periodic Legal Refresher

Principles of Appropriations

Professional Careers Beyond Audit Investigations and Legal

Small/Unique OIG Quarterly Meeting

Tech Tuesday’s

Technology Committee’s Cybersecurity Working Group - DHS/

CISA Vulnerability Disclosure Policy Platform

The Power of Data Analytics

Third Annual Symposium/CIGIE Technology Committee

Department of Defense 

(DoD)

National Whistleblower Appreciation Day 

Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) Level 3 Case 

Presentation: Bribery, Fraud, and Obstruction within the U.S. 

Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Webinar

Quarterly Hotline Working Group

LIST OF TRAININGS, MEETINGS & CONFERENCES
24 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Federal Election Commission

2022 Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training 

AEON Requestor Training

Director’s Meeting

DE&I Panel Discussion with FEC Leadership & Invited Guests

Finance Committee Meeting

Financial Statement Audit and Bi-Weekly Status Meetings

GovTA Time and Attendance Training

Human Capital Management Audit Bi-weekly Status Meeting

Independent Expenditures and Pre-Election Communications

Insider Threats for End Users 

Introduction to Adobe Sign

Mandatory Hatch Act Training

Occupant Emergency Team Training

OIG New Hire Orientation

OIG Update to the Commission

Spark Next Level Leadership

Government Accounting 

Office (GAO) Data Act Working Group (DAWG) Coordination Meeting

Government Employees 

Health Association Fighting Inflammation Naturally

Government Publishing 

Office (GPO) Basic Training Boot Camp

General Services 

Administration (GSA) 2022 GSA Smart Pay Virtual Forum

Intelligence Community Inspector General Conference

International Association of 

Computer Investigative 

Specialists (IACIS)

Basic Computer Forensics Examiner Training

LIST OF TRAININGS, MEETINGS & CONFERENCES
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 25

LIST OF TRAININGS, MEETINGS & CONFERENCES

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Institute of Internal Auditors

2022 International Conference 

Board and Officers Meeting

Management Concepts Maximizing Agency Funds at Fiscal Year-End

Analytics Boot Camp

Mile2 Cybersecurity Digital Forensics Examiner Training

NASA Managing Stress - A Brief Review

Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM) Employee Engagement Training

Wolters Kluwer Managing Internal Audit Risk

Yellowbook.com Data Analytics and Visualization for Auditors

Using Excel to Clean-up Data
26 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements required by the IG Act, as amended, are detailed below:

IG Act DESCRIPTION PAGE

Section 4(a)(2) Review of Legislation None

Section 5(a)(1) Significant Problems, Abuses, and Deficiencies None

Section 5(a)(2) Recommendations with Respect to Significant Problems, Abuses, 

and Deficiencies None

Section 5(a)(3) Recommendations Included in Previous Reports on Which 

Corrective Action Has Not Been Completed (Table III) 29

Section 5(a)(4) Matters Referred to Prosecuting Authorities None

Section 5(a)(5) Summary of Instances Where Information was Refused None

Section 5(a)(7) Summary of Significant Reports None

Section 5(a)(8) Questioned and Unsupported Costs (Table I) 27

Section 5(a)(9) Recommendations that Funds be Put To Better Use (Table II) 28

Section 5(a)(10)

(A)

Summary of Audit Reports issued before the start of the Reporting 

Period for which No Management Decision has been made None

Section 5(a)(10)

(B)

Summary of Audit Reports Issued Before the start of the 

Reporting Period for which No Management Comment was 

Returned Within 60 Days

None

Section 5(a)(10)

(C)

Summary of Audit Reports Issued Before the Start of 

the Reporting Period for which There Are Outstanding 

Unimplemented Recommendations

None

Section 5(a)(11) Significant Revised Management Decisions None

Section 5(a)(12) Management Decisions with which the Inspector General is in 

Disagreement None

Section 5(a)(14) Peer Review Recommendations 30
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 27

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

IG Act DESCRIPTION PAGE

Section 5(a)(17), 

(18)

Investigative Reports Table and Metrics (Table IV) 14–17,

and 29

Section 5(a)(19) Investigations Involving a Senior Government Employee with 

Substantiated Misconduct None

Section 5(a)(20) Instances of Whistleblower Retaliation None

Section 5(a)(21) Attempts by the Agency to Interfere with OIG Independence None

Section 5(a)(22) Undisclosed Inspections, Evaluations, Audits, 

and Investigations

None

Table I: Inspector General Issued Reports with Questioned Costs

Required reporting Number of 

Reports

Questioned 

Costs

Unsupported 

Costs

A.

For which no management decision 

has been made by commencement 

of the reporting period 

0 0 0

B. Which were issued during the 

reporting period 0 0 0

Sub-Totals (A&B) 0 0 0

C.

For which a management decision 

was made during the reporting 

period 

0 0 0

(i) Dollar value of disallowed costs 0 0 0

(ii) Dollar value of costs not 

disallowed 0 0 0

D.

For which no management decision 

has been made by the end of the 

reporting period

0 0 0

E.

Reports for which no management 

decision was made within six 

months of issuance 

0 0 0
28 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Table II: Inspector General Issued Reports with Recommended Actions 

That Funds Be Put to Better use

Required Reporting Number of Rec’s Dollar Value 

(In Thousands)

A.

For which no management decision has 

been made by the commencement of 

the reporting period

0 0

B. Which were issued during the reporting 

period 0 0

C. For which a management decision was 

made during the reporting period 0 0

(i) dollar value of recommendations were 

agreed to by management 0 0

based on proposed management action 0 0

based on proposed legislative action 0 0

(ii) dollar value of recommendations that 

were not agreed to by management 0 0

D.

For which no management decision has 

been made by the end of the reporting 

period

0 0

E.

Reports for which no management 

decision was made within six months of 

issuance

0 0
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 29

Table III: Summary of Audit and Inspection Reports with Corrective Actions Outstanding 

Report Title Report

Number

Date

Issued

Total

Rec’s Closed Open Cost Savings

Inspection of the Federal 

Election Commission’s 

Disaster Recovery 

Plan and Continuity of 

Operations Plans

OIG-12-06 01/13 2 0 2 0

TranServe Special Review SR-19-01 07/20 3 2 1 0

Investigation I21INV00037 I21INV00037 08/21 5 1 4 0

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial 

Statement Audit OIG-21-01 11/21 3 3 0 0

Totals 13 6 7 0

Table IV: Summary of Investigative Reports and Actions5

FEC OIG Investigations Courses of Action (April 1, 2022 – Sept 30, 2022) Number

Total number of investigative reports issued 2

Total number of persons referred to DOJ for criminal prosecution 0

Total number of persons referred to state and local prosecuting Authorities for 

criminal prosecution

0

Total number of indictments and criminal information resulting from any prior 

referral to prosecuting authorities

0

Total Investigations Closed 4

5 Metrics Used for Developing Data for Table IV: 

Total number of investigative reports issued - reflects the number of all Reports of Investigation (ROI) issued to FEC Commissioners, 

management alert memorandums, closing memorandums, and other referral memorandums during the reporting period;  

Total number of persons referred to DOJ for criminal prosecution and total number of persons referred to state and local prosecuting authorities 

for criminal prosecution - reflects the total number of referrals for criminal prosecution made by the FEC OIG to the respective criminal prosecuting 

authorities during the reporting period; and

Total number of indictments and criminal information resulting from any prior referral to prosecuting authorities - includes all indictments and 

information issued during the reporting period by Federal, State, or local criminal prosecuting authorities based upon any referral by the FEC OIG, 

whether the referral was made during this reporting period or a prior reporting period.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
30 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appendix A: Peer Review Results

I

n accordance with the IG Act, OIGs are required to report to Congress, as applicable, results of any peer reviews 

it received or conducted during the reporting period. Specifically, OIGs are required to report any outstanding 

recommendations that resulted from the peer review. The FEC OIG was not peer reviewed during this reporting 

period.

The FEC OIG has no open recommendations from previous peer reviews. The FEC OIG will be peer reviewed 

during the next reporting period by the US International Trade Commission OIG. The peer review period under this 

review is from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2022. The results of the peer review will be issued by March 31, 2023. 

The FEC OIG did not conduct any peer reviews during the reporting period. Accordingly, there are no open 

recommendations to report from prior peer reviews conducted. 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 31

Appendix B: Mission Statements

Office of Inspector General

The FEC OIG is committed to detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and other violations of law, and to 

promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the operations of the FEC. The OIG strives to collaboratively 

promote improvements to FEC strategic operations, programs, and initiatives by independently conducting 

value-added audits, reviews, and investigations. Our vision is to serve as trusted agents in driving positive change and 

promote integrity in FEC programs and operations.

The Federal Election Commission

The FEC is the independent regulatory agency charged with administering and enforcing the federal campaign 

finance law. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency and the 

Vice Presidency. Its mission is to protect the integrity of the Federal campaign finance process by providing transparency 

and fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws.

In 1975, Congress created the FEC to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as 

amended. The duties of the FEC, an independent regulatory agency, are to disclose campaign finance information, 

enforce the provisions of the law, and oversee the public funding of presidential elections.

The Commission consists of six members who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 

Each member serves a six-year term, and two seats are subject to appointment every two years. By law, no more than 

three Commissioners can be members of the same political party, and at least four votes are required for any official 

Commission action. The Chairmanship of the Commission rotates among the members each year, with no member 

serving as Chairman more than once during his or her term.

Currently, the FEC has six Commissioners –Allen Dickerson (Chair), Dara Lindenbaum (Vice Chair), Shana M. 

Broussard, Sean J. Cooksey, James E. “Trey” Trainor, III, and Ellen L. Weintraub. 
AUDIT ACTIVITIES

32 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

APPENDIX A: PEER REVIEW

Federal Election Commission

Office of the Inspector General

OIG Hotline Portal

https://fecoig.ains.com

* Also accessible via: 

http://www.fec.gov/oig

OIG Hotline Phone

202-694-1015

* Available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 

Friday, excluding federal holidays.

REPORT

FRAUD, WASTE, & ABUSE

Or you may call toll free at 1-800-424-9530 (press 0; then dial 1015). You may also file 

a complaint by completing the Hotline Complaint Form (http://www.fec.gov/oig) and 

mailing it to: 1050 First Street, N.E., Suite 1010, Washington DC 20463.

Individuals including FEC and FEC contractor employees are encouraged to alert the OIG to fraud, waste, abuse, and 

mismanagement of agency programs and operations. Individuals who contact the OIG can remain anonymous. However, 

persons who report allegations are encouraged to provide their contact information in the event additional questions 

arise as the OIG evaluates the allegations. Allegations with limited details or merit may be held in abeyance until further 

specific details are reported or obtained. Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the Inspector 

General will not disclose the identity of an individual who provides information without the consent of that individual, 

unless the Inspector General determines that such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation. To 

learn more about the OIG, visit our Website at: http://www.fec.gov/oig. 

Together we can make a difference!