May 2023

Federal Election Commission

Office of the Inspector General

SEMIANNUAL

REPORT to

CONGRESS

October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20463

OFFICE OF THE CHAIR

May 26, 2023

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy 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 Mr. 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 

October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. 

During this reporting period, the FEC’s OIG completed, with the assistance of contract 

auditors, the annual audit of the FEC’s financial statements. We are pleased to report that the 

Commission received an unqualified opinion on the required statements: the FEC’s Balance 

Sheet as of September 30, 2022 and 2021, and the related Statements of Net Costs, Changes in 

Net Position, Budgetary Resources, and Custodial Activity for the years then ended. This marks 

the fourteenth consecutive year with no material weaknesses identified. The auditors raised 

issues pertaining to Information Technology security that do not rise to the level of a material 

weakness, but nonetheless merit attention by the Commission. The response of FEC 

management to those issues appears in the report, which was issued on November 14, 2022. 

The FEC’s OIG also completed a special review of the FEC’s standard operating 

procedures related to non-FECA law enforcement inquiries without making a recommendation.

A review of Commission Directive 06, Handling of Internally Generated Matters, was also 

completed with one recommendation, which is currently under consideration.

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 are being provided to the Chairs and 

Ranking Members of the FEC’s oversight committees.

On behalf of the Commission,

Dara Lindenbaum

Chair

Enclosure
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, Special Review, and Other Activity .....................................................................................9

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity ......................................................................................... 12

OIG Hotline Activity .............................................................................................................................. 15

OIG Investigative Summaries................................................................................................................ 17

Other Matters – OIG Legislation.......................................................................................................... 19

Top Management Challenges...............................................................................................................21

Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency ...........................................................23

List of Training, Meetings & Conferences ............................................................................................24

Reporting Requirements.......................................................................................................................27

Table I: Inspector General Issued Reports with Questioned Costs.................................................28

Table II: Inspector General Issued Reports with Recommended Actions

That Funds Be Put to Better Use ...................................................................................................29

Table III: Summary of Audit, Review, Inspection, and Investigative Reports

with Corrective ActionsOutstanding.............................................................................................31

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

Appendix A: Peer Review Results.........................................................................................................32

Appendix B: Mission Statements .........................................................................................................33

Appendix C: OIG Hotline Poster..........................................................................................................34

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 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 October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. 

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 published the results 

of the FY 2022 Financial Statement audit. Additionally, the audit team 

completed a special review of the FEC’s procedures related to law 

enforcement inquiries. During the period the audit team initiated an 

audit of the FEC’s human capital management program and began special 

reviews of the travel/charge card program and the hiring and staffing 

levels at the FEC. During the second half of FY 2023, the OIG team 

plans to conduct an additional audit (via contractual agreement) and a 

review of Commission Directives.

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

reporting period, the investigative team completed one investigation. That investigation concerned an allegation 

that there were improprieties related to a hiring action for a vacant position within the Office of General Counsel. 

The OIG found that the evidence did not support the complaint and closed the matter with no recommendations 

for FEC management. The investigative team remains committed to promoting accountability by responding to 

hotline complaints and investigating allegations of wrongdoing.

The previous reporting period identified seven outstanding recommendations resulting from one inspection, 

one special review, and one investigation as of September 30, 2022. Four additional recommendations from the prior 

reporting period became subject to statutory follow-up requirements during the current reporting period. These 

four stemmed from one special review, one compliance review, and one investigation, bringing the total number of 

open recommendations (outstanding over six months) to 11 of which 4 were closed during the reporting period. The 

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

Additionally, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) OIG conducted a modified peer 

review of the FEC OIG audit program during the reporting period. We are happy to report that the USITC OIG 

concluded that the FEC OIG’s audit policies and procedures are current and consistent with applicable professional 

auditing standards and no findings were reported and no management letter of comment was issued.

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

the agency’s internal controls, addressing hotline complaints, resolving outstanding audit and investigative 
2 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

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 | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 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 OIG Team is recruiting a program analyst to serve a six-month 

temporary detail assignment to support the OIG inspection and evaluation program. 
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 | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 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 October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. 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 Council 

of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) standards to ensure the integrity of all FEC OIG work 

products.

OIG Audit, Special Review, and Other Activity

FY 2022 Financial Statement Audit

During this reporting period, the independent public accountants (IPA), Brown & Company completed final testing 

and issued the agency’s FY 2022 Financial Statement (FS) audit report. The IPA determined that the FEC’s financial 

statements were presented fairly in all material respects and did not identify any material weaknesses that could have 

an impact on financial reporting. The report was issued on November 14, 2022.

The IPA is required to conduct additional testing on information systems (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. As part of this engagement, the IPA also performs follow-up on outstanding recommendations related to IT 

controls. Based on the internal control and follow-up reviews, four of the remaining prior year’s recommendations 

were closed. Currently there are three new control deficiencies and recommendations. Accordingly, there are three 

open recommendations.

Human Capital Management Audit

The Audit of FEC’s Human Capital Management commenced during the prior reporting period and it was awarded 

to IPA Brown & Company. The primary purpose of the 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 the Office 

of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Human Capital Framework (HCF). This engagement is being conducted as a 

performance audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). The IPA 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 7

completed fieldwork and the exit conference was held on March 13, 2023 to discuss the audit results with FEC 

management. The draft report was forwarded to management on March 24, 2023 for review and comments. The final 

audit report will be issued during the next reporting period.

Law Enforcement Inquiry Special Review

The primary purpose of this review was to assess whether the FEC had adequate policies and procedures to 

respond in a timely and effective manner to non-FECA inquiries made by law enforcement. The OIG concluded that 

the agency has policies and procedures in place to process FECA related inquiries; however, the agency did not have 

specific policies and procedures in place to address non-FECA related law enforcement inquiries. Additionally, based 

on the field research, the OIG concluded that contact from law enforcement regarding non-FECA matters appears 

to occur infrequently and as a result, the OIG made no formal recommendations. The OIG encourages the FEC to 

continue to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the development of an MOU between both agencies to 

address similar matters.

Review of Commission Directive 06, Handling of Internally Generated Matters

This review was selected based on activity the OIG receives from its hotline. Specifically, the OIG often receives 

hotline complaints that fall outside of its authority and at times allege campaign finance violations. OIG review of FEC 

policy (i.e., Directive 06) identified ambiguity concerning the referral of such matters from the OIG to the Office of 

General Counsel (OGC) and, further, that Directive 06 has not been updated since 1978 despite significant statutory 

amendments. Accordingly, the OIG recommended that the Commission review and update Directive 06, as appropriate, 

to comport with current law and policy.

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 of March 31, 2023, 

there are 7 outstanding recommendations greater than six months old (See complete details in Table III: Summary of 

Audit/Review/Inspection and Investigation Reports with Corrective Actions Outstanding).

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 14 new hotline 

complaints and closed 13 complaints, ending the reporting period with one open hotline complaint. No outstanding 

hotline complaints remained from the prior reporting period.

The OIG previously reported four investigations as of September 30, 2022. During the reporting period, no new 

investigations were opened, one investigation was closed, and three investigations remain open with two currently put 

on hold pending ongoing litigation.

During the reporting period, the investigative team completed one investigation in which the OIG issued a report 

to the Commission. The investigation concerned an allegation that there were improprieties related to a hiring action 

for a vacant position within the Office of General Counsel. The OIG found that the evidence did not support the 

complaint and closed the matter with no recommendations for FEC management.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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 2023 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. Continuity of operations

4. Human capital management

5. Cybersecurity

Peer Review

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) OIG conducted a modified peer review of the FEC 

OIG audit program during the reporting period. We are happy to report that the USITC OIG concluded that the FEC 

OIG’s audit policies and procedures are current and consistent with applicable professional auditing standards and no 

findings were reported and no management letter of comment was issued.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 9

OIG Audit, Special Review, and Other Activity

Title: FY 2022 Financial Statement Audit

Assignment Number: OIG-22-01

Status: Complete

During this reporting period, the independent public accountants (IPA), Brown & Company completed final testing 

and issued the agency’s FY 2022 Financial Statement (FS) audit report. The exit conference was held on November 

10, 2022, to discuss the draft report and audit findings. The IPA determined that the FEC’s financial statements were 

presented fairly, in all material respects. The IPA did not identify any material weaknesses that could have an impact 

on financial reporting. The final report was issued on November 14, 2022.

As in prior years, the IPA is 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) and 

is not required to perform the annual FISMA audit. As part of this engagement, the IPA also performs follow-up 

on outstanding recommendations related to IT controls. Based on the internal control and follow-up reviews, four 

of the remaining prior year’s recommendations were closed. Currently there are three new control deficiencies and 

recommendations. Accordingly, there are three open recommendations.

The IPA also issued a management letter on November 21, 2022. The management letter contained three matters 

and suggestions for improvement that were not considered to be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. These 

matters did not affect the FY 2022 FS Audit report issued on November 12, 2022.

Title: Human Capital Management Audit

Assignment Number: OIG-22-02

Status: In progress

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

first engagement under a 5-year Blanket Purchase Agreement that was awarded to Brown & Company, an IPA. 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 the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) 

Human Capital Framework (HCF). This engagement is being conducted as a performance audit in accordance with 

Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS).

The IPA completed fieldwork and the exit conference was held on March 13, 2023 to discuss the audit results 

with Management. The IPA concluded that the FEC has not fully developed and implemented a strategic HCM plan 

sufficient to ensure the continuous achievement of its strategic goals and objectives. The draft report was forwarded 
OIG AUDIT, SPECIAL REVIEW, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

10 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

to Management on March 24, 2023 for review and comments. The final audit report will be issued during the next 

reporting period.

Title: Special Review of the FEC Standard Operating Procedures 

Related to non-FECA law enforcement inquiries

Assignment Number: SR-22-03

Status: Complete

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 

of this review was to assess whether the FEC had adequate policies and procedures to respond in a timely and 

effective manner to non-FECA inquiries made by law enforcement. The OIG concluded that the agency has policies 

and procedures in place to process FECA related inquiries; however, the agency did not have specific policies and 

procedures in place to address non-FECA related law enforcement inquiries. Additionally, based on the field research, 

the OIG concluded that contact from law enforcement regarding non-FECA matters appears to occur infrequently and 

as a result the OIG made no recommendations. The OIG encourages the FEC to continue to work with the Department 

of Justice (DOJ) in the development of an MOU between both agencies to address similar matters.

Title: Special Review of Staffing, Hiring, and Retention

Assignment Number: SR-23-01

Status: In progress

This special review was selected because of the centrality of staff and staffing levels to the FEC’s ability to deliver 

on its mission objective: to protect the integrity of the federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and 

fairly enforcing and administering federal campaign finance laws. The primary purpose of this review is to evaluate 

trends in FEC staffing levels, as well as the causes and effects of attrition. The FEC’s full-time staffing level fell from 354 

full-time staff in September 2012 to 293 in September 2022. This period coincides with a substantial increase in both 

the number and dollar value of filings subject to FEC processing, review, and enforcement. We expect to complete the 

review and publish results including identified causes and effects during the April to September 2023 reporting period. 
OIG AUDIT, SPECIAL REVIEW, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 11

Title: Special Review of the FEC Travel Charge/Purchase Card

Assignment Number: SR-23-02

Status: In progress

This special review was selected to ensure the program is compliant and operating in accordance with the 

Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 (Charge Card Act) and OMB Circular A-123, A Risk 

Management Framework for Government Charge Card Programs. The scope of the special review includes but is not 

limited to testing of charge travel card/purchase transactions to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, 

laws/regulations, and guidance.

Title: Review of Commission Directive 06, Handling of Internally 

Generated Matters

Assignment Number: N/R

Status: Complete

This review was selected based on activity the OIG receives from its hotline. Specifically, the OIG often receives 

hotline complaints that fall outside of its authority and at times allege campaign finance violations. OIG review of FEC 

policy (i.e., Directive 06) identified ambiguity concerning the referral of such matters from the OIG to the Office of 

General Counsel (OGC) and, further, that Directive 06 has not been updated since 1978 despite significant statutory 

amendments. Accordingly, the OIG recommended that the Commission review and update Directive 06, as appropriate, 

to comport with current law and policy.

Title: FEC’s Compliance with Improper Payments Reporting for 

Fiscal Year 2022

Assignment Number: N/R

Status: In progress

This compliance review satisfies the OIG’s FY 2022 annual review of the FEC’s compliance with the Payment 

Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA). This review is being 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 compliance review is 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. The OIG will examine the agency’s payment integrity section and other 

improper payment disclosure sections of the FEC FY 2022 AFR posted on the agency’s website. The OIG will issue 

and publish the results of this review during the next reporting cycle.
12 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity

1 During the October 2022 to March 2023 reporting period, one audit and one review were published that included a total of four 

recommendations, of which all remain open. Including these four, the total number of open recommendations, regardless of age, was 11 as of March 

31, 2023. 

Title: OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity

Assignment Number: N/A

Status: In Progress

As required 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 seven recommendations outstanding for more than six months from three 

audit-related engagements (one inspection, one special review, and one audit). Four additional recommendations from 

the prior reporting period became subject to statutory follow-up requirements during the current reporting period. 

These four stemmed from one special review, one compliance review, and one investigation, bringing the total number 

of recommendations (outstanding over six months) to 11.

FEC staff closed four recommendations during the reporting period ending March 31, 2023, retiring all outstanding 

recommendations related to the following special review, compliance review, and investigation:

1. Special Review: Use of TRANServe Benefits During the FY 19 Government Shutdown

2. The Federal Election Commission’s Compliance Review with Improper Payments Reporting for Fiscal 

Year 2021

3. I22INV00010: Lost FEC Laptop Reported by an Agency Employee

As of March 31, 2023, there were a total of seven open recommendations (outstanding over six months) from the 

following inspection, investigation, and special review:1

1. Inspection of the FEC’s Disaster Recovery Plan and Continuity of Operations Plans (outstanding 10 years)

2. Investigation I21INV00037: Allegations of Bias Against Federal Election Commission Personnel Reviewing 

the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee Reports (outstanding 1 year 8 months)

3. OIG Special Review of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Contracting Officers Representative 

(COR) Program (outstanding 10 months)
4

1

3 3

0

1

2

3

4

5

4

1 1

2

1

2

Progress Report from October 2022 to March 2023

Number of Recommendations Number of Recommendations

Recommendations Activity by FEC Office from 

October 2022 to March 2023 (> 6 months old)

■ Closed Recommendations October 2022 to March 2023

■ Current Open Recommendations

OGC OHR

FEC Office

OCIO OCFO

0

2

4

6

8

10

12 11 

new recommendations 

4

7 

4

7

Total Open Recommendations

as of October 2022

Total Closed

Recommendations

Current Open

Recommendations

OIG RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 13
Open and New Recommendations Oct 2016 - Mar 2023 (> 6 Months)

Average Age of Open Recommendations (> 6 Months)

Number of Recommendations 

> 6 Months 

Average Age of Open 

Recommendations (in Years)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80 75

59

55 54

32

22 21

17 18

8 7

11

43

50

9

4 2 1 5 5 4

0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

4.3

7.5

3.0

4.0

10/16–3/17

10/16

4/17–9/174/18–9/184/19–9/194/20–9/204/21–9/214/22–9/22

10/17–3/1810/18–3/1910/19–3/2010/20–3/2110/21–3/22

10/22–3/23*

Number of New Recommendations

Total Recommendations >6 Months Average Age of Recommendations > 6 Months

* The period 10/22 to 3/23 includes 4 recommendations < 6 months. There are 7 open

recommendations >6 months as of March 31, 2023. 

OIG RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

14 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL
OIG AUDIT/REVIEW FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 15

OIG Hotline Activity

2 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 35 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 14 new hotline complaints and closed 13 complaints, ending 

the reporting period with one open hotline complaint.2 No outstanding hotline complaints remained from the prior 

reporting period.

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.
16 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

OIG Course of Action - Hotlines Closed

Opened for investigation 0

OIG referral to FEC management 0

OIG referral to existing FEC program/process 3

OIG referral to external agency 3

OIG referral to OIG audit/special review 0

Assist complainant 7

Closed with no action 0

Total Hotlines Closed 13

OIG HOTLINE ACTIVITY
OIG AUDIT/REVIEW FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 17

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 four investigations as of September 30, 2022. During the reporting period, 

no new investigations were opened, one investigation was closed, and three investigations remain open (two of these 

investigations are currently on hold pending ongoing litigation).

4

3

1

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

FEC OIG Status of Investigations

(October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023)

Open Investigations

as of September 30, 2022

Open Investigations

(October 1, 2022–

March 31, 2023)

Closed Investigations

(October 1, 2022–

March 31, 2023)

Open Investigations

as of March 31, 2023
18 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

During the reporting period, the investigative team completed one investigation in which the OIG issued a report 

to the Commission. The investigation concerned an allegation that there were improprieties related to a hiring action 

for a vacant position within the Office of General Counsel. The OIG found that the evidence did not support the 

complaint and closed the matter with no recommendation for FEC management.

Closed Investigations - Courses of Action

(October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) # of Investigations

Investigations closed with ROI released to Commissioners 1

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 0

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

Referrals to DOJ for federal prosecution 0

Totals 1

OIG INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARIES
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 19

Other Matters - OIG Legislation

On December 23, 2022, Congress signed into law the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act

(NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which included an amendment to the Inspector General Act of 1978. Not all the 

provisions outlined in the NDAA pertain to the FEC OIG. However, the FEC OIG has reviewed the NDAA 

amendments and have taken the following actions to address the provisions that apply to the FEC OIG.

Subtitle A –Section 5203 – Vacancy in position of Inspector General

Requires that the first assistant to Inspector General (IG) position automatically assume the role of acting IG if 

the current IG is removed from the position. This requirement is expressly applicable to presidential appointment IG 

positions.

The FEC IG, as a designated federal entity under the IG Act, is appointed by the Commission. The first assistant 

to the FEC IG is the Deputy IG. The OIG encourages the Commission to adopt Section 5203 in FEC policy. The 

adoption of Section 5203 would provide that the Deputy IG be automatically named Acting IG in the absence of the 

IG without a Commission vote.

Section 5204 – Office of Inspector General whistleblower complaints

Requires Whistleblower Protection Coordinators to include OIG employees in their educational outreach and 

communicate and coordinate with CIGIE’s Integrity Committee.

The FEC OIG Senior Counsel, in coordination with the FEC’s Office of General Counsel, created and adopted 

training materials to educate and remind employees of their Whistleblower protections. Additionally, the OIG educates 

staff about their whistleblower protections in the OIG new employee orientation brief.

Subtitle F – Section 5261 Notice of refusal to provide Inspectors General access

Directs IGs to notify Congress if they do not receive information or assistance necessary to conduct their 

responsibilities under the IG Act within 30 days after reporting such matter to the respective agency heads.

OIG staff have been advised to notify the Inspector General or Deputy Inspector General if they do not receive 

requested materials.

Section 5274 – Submission of reports that specifically identify non-governmental organizations 

or business entities.

This requires notification where OIGs specifically identify non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or business 

entities (BEs) in audit, evaluation, inspection or other non-investigative reports (hereinafter OIG non-investigative 

reports). In essence, the new requirements provides that NGOs or BEs identified in OIG non-investigative reports 

(whether or not they are subjects) must be notified of the report and given 30 days to review the report and provide 

written, clarifying information or context as it “directly relates” to each instance” where the report specifically identifies 

that NGO or BE. The 30-day timeline begins on the date of the report’s publication and OIGs must attach any written 

response to the report. Any report appearing on an OIG’s public-facing website must be updated to include a version 

of the non-investigative report with the NGO or BE’s written responses.
20 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

To assist OIGs with addressing these new requirements, CIGIE created an NDAA Working Group to develop 

guidance. That guidance will assist OIGs as they develop their approaches to comply with the new requirements and is 

not binding on any OIG. The FEC OIG continues to review the requirement and will issue internal policy, as needed, 

to comply with the requirement.

OTHER MATTERS – OIG LEGISLATION
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 21

Top Management Challenges

I

n accordance with the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, in early FY 2023 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 latest report, which is based on our experience and observations from our oversight work:

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

of federal campaign finance. In recent years, federal campaign fundraising and spending have increased 

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

rapid growth of contributions to campaigns and committees, both in total dollars and in the number of 

contributions, has not been met with corresponding budgetary resources for the FEC to provide campaign 

finance oversight. Total spending on federal election campaigns during presidential years increased from 

$3.1 billion in 2000 to approximately $14.4 billion for the 2020 election cycle, nearly a 5-fold increase. 

Spending on the 2022 mid-term elections reached $5.6 billion through September 30, 2022, nearly 

equaling the $5.7 billion spent for the entirety of the 2018 mid-term election cycle. Projected spending for 

the full 2022 mid-term is $7.7 billion based on historical precedents.

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. Continuity of Operations –Recent and dramatic changes in workplace dynamics due to the COVID-19 

pandemic pose many management and performance challenges for the FEC. Federal agencies, including 

the FEC, have implemented various return-to-office policies after the expiration of evacuation orders 

that mandated remote work during the height of the pandemic. However, substantial uncertainty remains 

regarding how the post-pandemic work environment will look for the FEC, how the FEC’s telework 

policies will affect retention and recruitment, and how the agency would respond to a future pandemic or 

similar event that disrupts operations.
22 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

4. Human Capital Management – Human capital management is the process of acquiring, training, 

managing, and retaining employees to effectively execute the agency’s mission. In prior management 

challenge reports the OIG identified, among other things, the unusual salary structure of certain 

senior leaders at the Commission (including Commissioners), the practice of agency personnel serving 

in acting positions for extended periods of time, and the Commission’s attempt to address these issues 

through repeated legislative recommendations to Congress. These challenges have a direct impact on the 

Commission’s management of human capital. For example, the problems brought about by the challenged 

senior salary structure, coupled with declining staffing levels and increased workload, appear to have 

contributed to the recent 29th out of 29 ranking among small agencies that the FEC received in the 

Partnership for Public Service’s 2021 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government report.

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 | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 23

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, Legislative and Budget Committees. 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 and 

serves as the Chair of the Federal Audit Executive Council (FAEC) Annual Conference Planning Committee.
24 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 October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

AETNA Retirement Planning & Resources: Understanding Medicare/Medicaid

AINS Virtual User Conference

Bureau of the Fiscal 

Service 2022 JFMIP Virtual Conference

Council of the Inspectors 

General on Integrity 

and Efficiency (CIGIE)

9th Annual CIGIE Leadership Forum

Business Diversity Subgroup Meeting

Candidate Panel Review

CDO Shop Talk: Insights on Implementing DEIA

DEI&A Group, Business Supplier Diversity Workgroup

Deputy Inspector General Quarterly Meeting

Digital Assets: Legitimate uses in the Traditional Financial System in 

Contrast to Nefarious Activities

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

Connect, Collaborate, and Learn (CCL) - Effective Communication 

when Conducting Audits Evaluations and Inspections

ERM to Drive Programmatic Success Virtual Workshop

ERM Quarterly Working Group

Essentials of Inspector General Investigations

Hotline Operator Training Program (HOTP-2301)

Infrastructure Working Group

Investigations Committee / Assistant Inspector General for 

Investigations Committee (IC / AIGI) Quarterly Meeting

Lead & Learn - One on One with Deidre Harrison Leadership in 

Government

Legislative Committee Meeting

Monthly Meeting with Inspectors Generals
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 25

LIST OF TRAINING, MEETINGS & CONFERENCES

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Council of the Inspectors 

General on Integrity 

and Efficiency (CIGIE)

(Cont.)

Monthly Meeting with Counsel

Small Agency Council-Finance Meeting

Small/Unique OIG Quarterly Meeting

Suspension and Department training

Tech Tuesday’s

Technology Committee’s Cybersecurity Working Group - DHS/CISA 

Vulnerability Disclosure Policy Platform

Training for Training Officers for FY24 Projections

Virtual Procurement Conference

Department of Defense 

(DoD) Quarterly Hotline Working Group

Federal Election 

Commission

DEIA Dishes and Discussion

Director’s Meeting

Finance Committee Meeting

Human Capital Management Audit Bi-weekly Status Meeting

Introduction to IG Authorities

OCIO Training on Excel Pivot Tables

OIG New Hire Orientation

OIG Update to the Commission

Winding Down the Campaign and Post-General Reporting Webinar

Federal Employment 

Law Training Group, 

LLC

Workplace Investigations

Government Accounting 

Office (GAO)

Election Security: OIG’S Role Webinar

Data Act Working Group (DAWG) Coordination Meeting

Government Publishing 

Office (GPO) Centralized Issuance LEO Credentials - Photos and Signature Seminar

General Services 

Administration (GSA) 2022 GSA Smart Pay Virtual Forum

George Mason 

University Chief Risk Officer Program
26 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

HRMorning How Travel and Offsite Meetings Enhance Employee Experience

Institute of Internal 

Auditors Board and Officers Meeting

Management Concepts

HR Boot Camp

HR Analytics

Leadership & DEIA in the Federal Government: Laying the Foundation 

Webinar

Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM) Employee Engagement Training

Washington University/

Brookings Institute Leading in a VUCA World
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 27

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) 30

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) 28

Section 5(a)(9) Recommendations that Funds be Put To Better Use (Table II) 29

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 32

Section 5(a)(17), 

(18)

Investigative Reports Table and Metrics (Table IV) 15–18

and 31
28 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

IG Act DESCRIPTION PAGE

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
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 29

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Table II: Inspector General Issued Reports with Recommended Actions 

That Funds Be Spent 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
30 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Table III: Summary of Audit, Review, Inspection, and Investigative 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

Use of TRANServe Benefits 

During the Fiscal Year 

2019 Government 

Shutdown

SR-19-01 07/20 1 1 0 0

Investigation I21INV00037 I21INV00037 08/21 4 0 4 0

Compliance with Improper 

Payments Reporting for 

Fiscal Year 2021

SR-22-02 05/22 1 1 0 0

Special Review of the FEC 

Contracting Officers 

Representative (COR) 

Program

SR-22-01 05/22 2 1 1 0

Investigation I22INV00010 I21INV00010 06/22 1 1 0 0

Totals 11 4 7 0

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 31

Table IV: Summary of Investigative Reports and Actions3

FEC OIG Investigations Courses of Action (Oct 1, 2022 – Mar 31, 2023) Number

Total number of investigative reports issued 1

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 1

3 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
32 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 United States International Trade Commission (USITC) OIG conducted a modified peer review of the FEC 

OIG audit program during the reporting period. A modified peer review does not express an opinion and does not 

issue a grade (i.e. pass, fail). The main purpose of a modified peer review is to assess whether policies and procedures 

submitted for review were current and consistent with applicable professional standards. We are happy to report that 

the USITC OIG concluded that the FEC OIG’s audit policies and procedures are current and consistent with applicable 

professional auditing standards and no findings were reported and no management letter of comment was issued.

The FEC OIG initiated a peer review of the Architect of the Capitol OIG investigations program during the 

reporting period and anticipates completing that peer review during the next reporting period.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | OCTOBER 1, 2022 – MARCH 31, 2023 33

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 promoting 

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 – Dara Lindenbaum (Chair), Sean J. Cooksey (Vice Chairman), Shana 

M. Broussard, Allen Dickerson, James E. “Trey” Trainor, III, and Ellen L. Weintraub.
OIG AUDIT, SPECIAL REVIEW, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

34 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!