November 2023

Federal Election Commission

Office of the Inspector General

SEMIANNUAL

REPORT to

CONGRESS

April 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20463

OFFICE OF THE CHAIR

November 30, 2023

The Honorable J. Michael Johnson 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 OIG completed a special review of the FEC travel and 

purchase card programs and monitored an audit of the FEC’s human capital management program, 

which was completed by independent auditors. Management’s responses to the review and audit 

are included in those reports, which are available on FEC.gov at: 

https://www.fec.gov/office-inspector-general/. 

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,

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

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity ......................................................................................... 13

OIG Hotline Activity .............................................................................................................................. 16

OIG Investigative Summaries................................................................................................................18

Top Management Challenges...............................................................................................................20

Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency ...........................................................22

List of Trainings, Meetings & Conferences...........................................................................................23

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, Review, Inspection, and Investigative Reports

with Corrective Actions Outstanding (>6 Months).......................................................................29

Table IV: Summary of Investigative Reports and Actions ................................................................30

Appendix A: Peer Review Results.........................................................................................................31

Appendix B: Mission Statements .........................................................................................................32

Appendix C: OIG Hotline Poster..........................................................................................................33

iii FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 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 April 1, 2023, to September 30, 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 completed and 

published an audit of the FEC’s Human Capital Management Program. 

Additionally, the audit team completed a special review of the FEC’s 

Travel and Purchase Card Programs, initiated an evaluation of the FEC’s 

staffing, hiring, and retention levels, and initiated an audit of the FEC’s 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, 

and Accessibility (DEI&A) programs. The audit team continued to 

oversee the FY 2023 Financial Statement audit, which will be issued and 

finalized in November 2023. 

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 

of ethics violations by an FEC Commissioner. Despite the subject of the investigation’s non-participation, the 

OIG concluded the allegations were not substantiated 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 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 and one audit, bringing the total number of recommendations 

(outstanding over six months) to 11. The OIG team will continue to work with the Commission and agency leaders 

to address open OIG recommendations. 

Additionally, the FEC Commissioners and FEC Inspector General were invited to testify before the Committee 

on House Administration on September 20, 2023. My written testimony focused on, among other things, the FEC’s 

significant challenges concerning the dramatic increase in campaign expenditures and transactions and the FEC’s 

declining budget and personnel resources. 

 Going forward, the FEC OIG remains committed to conducting audits, evaluations, 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 | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 3

OIG Personnel Updates

Additions:

None during this reporting period.

Farewells:

Ms. Jessica Joy, AmeriCorps OIG Program Analyst, completed a temporary detail assignment to support the FEC 

OIG inspection and evaluation program. Jessica proved to be a dynamic asset to the FEC OIG team, and we applaud 

her hard work and her dedication to federal oversight.

Vacancies:

The OIG currently has one vacant position.
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, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 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 “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, 2023, to September 30, 2023. Additional details pertaining to each activity (e.g., audits, evaluations, 

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, Evaluation, Special Review, and Other Activity

FY 2023 Financial Statement Audit

The OIG entered into a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with Brown & Company, PLLC to perform 

Professional Audit Services. The FEC’s FY 23 financial statement (FS) audit is the first FS audit called against the 

BPA. During this reporting period, the entrance conference was held on April 20, 2023, which kicked off the planning 

phase of the audit. 

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. 

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, 2023.

Human Capital Management Audit

An audit of the FEC’s Human Capital Management Program was performed by Brown & Company under a BPA 

with, and monitored by, the OIG in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. The audit 

found that the FEC has not developed a plan that describes how the FEC will strategically manage its human capital 

resources across the agency. Accordingly, the auditors recommended that the FEC develop a strategic human capital 

management program that is informed by the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Human Capital Framework 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 7

which, according to OPM, is essential to effective management. The final report was issued on April 27, 2023, and 

included five (5) recommendations. 

Audit of FEC’s Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and 

Accessibility Programs

This performance audit commenced during this reporting period. The entrance conference was held on September 

28, 2023. The two objectives for this audit are: (1) to assess FEC’s EEO compliance with statutory requirements, 

applicable EEOC and OPM guidance, best practices, as well as applicable agency policies and procedures; and (2) to 

analyze FEC’s implementation of diversity and inclusion efforts related to the workforce to increase racial, ethnic, and 

gender diversity in the workforce.

Evaluation of Staffing, Hiring, and Retention

The primary purpose of this engagement 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 will complete and publish the results including identified causes and effects 

in the September 2023 to March 2024 reporting period.

 Special Review of the FEC Travel and Purchase Card Programs

 A review of the travel and purchase card programs was conducted, per the OIG Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Work 

Plan. The review identified areas in which management could enhance program controls, including ensuring that the 

responsibilities of Approving Officials (AOs) align with the guidance provided in Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) A-123, Appendix B, and General Services Administration (GSA) SmartPay Training. Additionally, monitoring 

the completion of training and monitoring the timely submission of travel vouchers to the Office of the Chief Financial 

Officer (OCFO) were identified as areas for control improvement within the process. The report was issued August 1, 

2023, and included five (5) recommendations for management.

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 September 

30, 2023, there were 11 outstanding recommendations greater than six months old (See complete details in Table III: 

Summary of Audit, Review, Inspection, and Investigative 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 38 new 

hotline complaints and closed 36 complaints, ending the reporting period with three open hotline complaint. Of the 

36 closed complaints, one was from the prior reporting period.

The OIG previously reported three investigations as of March 31, 2023. During the reporting period, no new 

investigations were opened, two investigations were closed, and one investigation is currently on hold pending ongoing 

litigation.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

report to the Commission. The investigation was related to concerns about Commissioner James “Trey” Trainor III’s 

appearance at an event where he was allegedly billed as a member of former President Donald Trump’s elections 

team. The investigation also examined whether Commissioner Trainor should have recused himself from adjudicating 

matters involving former President Trump in light of his appearance and prior representation of the campaign. Due 

to Commissioner Trainor’s non-participation in the investigation, the OIG was unable to obtain all relevant facts and 

circumstances. However, based on public reporting and other available evidence, the OIG identified no violations of 

relevant ethical standards and therefore closed the matter with no recommendations. Additionally, the OIG closed a 

separate investigation with a closing memorandum because federal policies relevant to the investigation were rescinded 

by an executive order.

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 FEC OIG conducted a peer review of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) OIG investigations program 

during the reporting period. The FEC OIG found that the internal safeguards and management procedures for the 

investigative functions of the AOC OIG in effect between October 1, 2021, to January 31, 2023 are in compliance with 

the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Quality Standards for Investigations and 

other applicable guidelines.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 9

OIG Audit, Evaluation, Special Review, and

Other Activity

Title: FY 2023 Financial Statement Audit

Assignment Number: OIG-23-01

Status: In Progress

The OIG entered into a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with Brown & Company, PLLC to perform 

Professional Audit Services. The FEC’s FY 23 financial statement (FS) audit is the first FS audit called against the 

BPA. During this reporting period, the entrance conference was held on April 20, 2023, which kicked off the planning 

phase of the audit. The start of field work and interim testing began in June 2023. 

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 2023, followed by the draft report to 

management and exit conference by early November. 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, 2023.

Title: Human Capital Management Program Audit

Assignment Number: OIG-22-02

Status: Completed

Fieldwork for the Audit of FEC’s Human Capital Management Program was completed in the prior reporting 

period. However, the audit report was finalized and issued during this reporting period on April 27, 2023. This audit was 

conducted under the 5-year BPA that was awarded to Brown & Company, an IPA. The primary purpose of this audit 

was to determine if the 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. 

This engagement was conducted as a performance audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing 

Standards (GAGAS).
OIG AUDIT, EVALUATION, SPECIAL REVIEW, AND OTHER ACTIVITY

10 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

The audit 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 final report included five (5) 

recommendations. Specifically, the IPA recommended FEC Management should implement the following:

1. A human capital strategy that outlines the overall planning, performance strategy, workforce priorities, and 

workforce planning activities;

2. A process for conducting and documenting skills gap analyses of its workforce;

3. A process for succession planning for senior leaders and mission-critical positions;

4. Guidance on the development of training programs, including formal training plans for appropriate 

employees (e.g., employees with skills gaps and for succession planning purposes); and

5. Consistency in the performance review process.

FEC management largely disagreed with the auditors’ findings and recommendations, citing the non-applicability 

of certain requirements in 5 C.F.R. Part 250, among them, the requirement to “implement and develop a human 

capital operating plan (HCOP).” Although it may be true that the FEC is not required by law to implement certain 

requirements in Part 250 (which the audit report acknowledged), this engagement was conducted as a performance 

audit and, thus, looked beyond compliance with regulatory requirements. As provided in relevant government auditing 

standards: “Performance audit objectives vary widely and include assessments of program effectiveness, economy, 

and efficiency; internal control; compliance; and prospective analyses” (emphases added). Accordingly, the auditors 

looked to guidance provided by OPM, which recently opined that:

Public and private sector studies have shown organizations that achieve and sustain 

excellence in strategic human capital management outperform those that do not. The 

strategic management of human capital not only impacts organizational performance but 

can enable the workforce to accelerate progress to achieve strategic objectives.1

In light of OPM’s broad endorsement of strategic human capital management and OPM’s previous application to 

the FEC of certain elements of its human capital framework,2 the audit team recommended that the FEC develop a 

plan to strategically manage human capital that is informed by OPM’s framework. The auditors further recommended 

that the FEC apply those human capital management principles at a scale appropriate to the size and structure of the 

FEC to drive a proactive and strategic approach to human capital management commensurate with the FEC’s mission 

and resources. 

The auditors also recognized that efforts to improve the strategic management of human capital at the FEC were 

subject to budget constraints, workforce reductions, and competing priorities and emphasized that those very challenges 

further amplified the need for the strategic management of human capital.

1 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/human-capital-management/human-capital-operating-plan-guidance.pdf

2 Letter from the Office of Personnel Management to the FEC, Subj.: Merit System Accountability and Compliance, 

dated November 25, 2019.
OIG AUDIT, EVALUATION, SPECIAL REVIEW, AND OTHER ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 11

Title: Audit of FEC’s Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, 

Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Programs

Assignment Number: OIG-23-02

Status: In Progress

This performance audit commenced during this reporting period. The entrance conference was held on September 

28, 2023. This audit will be conducted under the 5-year BPA that was awarded to Brown & Company. The two objectives 

for this audit are: 

1. To assess FEC’s EEO compliance with statutory requirements, applicable EEOC and OPM guidance, best 

practices, as well as applicable agency policies and procedures; and 

2. To analyze FEC’s implementation of diversity and inclusion efforts related to the workforce to increase 

racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the workforce.

Brown & Company is in the planning stages of this 10-month engagement. As such, the results of this audit will 

be reported in a future reporting period.

Title: Evaluation of Staffing, Hiring, and Retention

Assignment Number: IE-23-01

Status: In Progress

The primary purpose of this engagement 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 will complete and publish results including identified causes and effects in 

the September 2023 to March 2024 reporting period.

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

Assignment Number: SR-23-02

Status: Complete

This special review was selected per the OIG FY 2023 Work Plan. The review identified areas in which management 

could enhance program controls, including ensuring that the responsibilities of Approving Officials (AOs) align with 

the guidance provided in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-123, Appendix B, and General Services 

Administration (GSA) SmartPay Training. Additionally, monitoring the completion of training and monitoring the 

timely submission of travel vouchers to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) were identified as areas for 

control improvement within the process. The report was issued August 1, 2023, and included five (5) recommendations 

for management.
OIG AUDIT, EVALUATION, SPECIAL REVIEW, AND OTHER ACTIVITY

12 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Title: FEC’s Compliance with Improper Payments Reporting for 

Fiscal Year 2022

Assignment Number: N/A

Status: Complete

This compliance review was completed during this reporting period and satisfies the OIG’s FY 2022 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 OIG examined the agency’s payment integrity section and other improper payment disclosure sections of 

the FEC FY 2022 Annual Financial Report (AFR) posted on the agency’s website. The OIG concluded that the FEC 

complied with the applicable reporting requirements which includes publishing the appropriate improper payments 

information with the annual Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) or AFR along with accompanying materials 

for the most recent fiscal year. The management letter was issued in May 2023.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 13

OIG Recommendations Follow-up Activity

3 During the April to September 2023 reporting period, one audit and one review were published that included a total of 10 recommendations. 

FEC staff closed one recommendation leaving 9 remaining open recommendations less than six months. Including these nine, the total number of 

open recommendations, regardless of age, was 20 as of September 30, 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 and one audit, bringing the total number of recommendations (outstanding 

over six months) to 11. None of the 11 recommendations outstanding over six months were closed by FEC staff during 

the reporting period ending September 30, 2023. 

The 11 open recommendations (outstanding over six months) as of September 30, 2023 stem from the following 

inspection, investigation, special reviews, and audit:3

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 two years two months)

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

(COR) Program (outstanding one year four months)

4. OIG Review of Commission Directive 06, Handling of Internally Generated Matters (outstanding 11 

months)

5. Independent Audit Report of FEC’s FY 22 Financial Statements (outstanding 10 months)
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

5 5

1

5

Progress Report from April 2023 to September 2023 (> 6 months old)

Number of Recommendations Number of Recommendations

■ Current Open Recommendations

No recommendations >6 months were closed from 4/23 to 9/30.

FEC Office

Commission OCIO OCFO

11 11 

0

8 

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

4

7

Total Open Recommendations

as of March 2023

Total Closed

Recommendations

Current Open

Recommendations

new recommendations

OIG RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

14 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Recommendations Activity by FEC Office from April 2023 to

September 2023 (> 6 months old)4

4 Four recommendations that had been assigned to OGC in the March 2023 Semiannual Report have been redesignated to the Commission 

to reflect the current status of responsibility within the FEC. 
Open and New Recommendations Oct 2016 - Sep 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 7

20

43

50

9

4 2 1 5 5 4 10

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

3.2

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

10/17–3/1810/18–3/1910/19–3/2010/20–3/2110/21–3/2210/22–3/23

4/23–9/23*

Number of New Recommendations

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

* The period 4/23 to 9/23 includes 9 recommendations < 6 months (one of the 10 new was closed).

There are 11 open recommendations >6 months as of September 30, 2023. 

OIG RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 15
16 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

OIG Hotline Activity

5 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 26 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 38 new hotline complaints and closed 36 complaints, ending the 

reporting period with three open hotline complaints.5 Of the 36 closed complaints, one was 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, evaluation, 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.
OIG HOTLINE ACTIVITY

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 17

OIG Course of Action - Hotlines Closed

Opened for investigation 0

OIG referral to FEC management 0

OIG referral to existing FEC program/process 2

OIG referral to external agency 3

OIG referral to OIG audit/special review 0

Assist complainant 9

Closed with no action 22

Total Hotlines Closed 36
18 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

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 three investigations as of March 31, 2023. During the reporting period, no 

new investigations were opened, two investigations were closed, and one investigation is currently 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 inquired into concerns about Commissioner James “Trey” Trainor III’s 

appearance at an event where he was allegedly billed as a member of former President Donald Trump’s elections team. 

The investigation also examined whether Commissioner Trainor should have recused himself from adjudicating matters 

involving former President Trump in light of his appearance at the event and prior representation of the campaign. 

Because of Commissioner Trainor’s non-participation in the investigation, the OIG was unable to obtain all relevant 

facts and circumstances. However, based on public reporting and other available evidence, the OIG identified no 

violations of relevant ethical standards and therefore closed the matter with no recommendations.

The OIG closed another investigation with a memorandum and conducted no further investigative activity because 

federal policies relevant to the investigation were rescinded by executive order.
OIG INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARIES

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 19

Closed Investigations - Courses of Action

(April 1, 2023 – September 30, 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 1

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

Referrals to DOJ for federal prosecution 0

Totals 2

3

1

2

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

FEC OIG Status of Investigations

(April 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023)

Open Investigations

as of March 31, 2023

Open Investigations

(April 1, 2023–

September 30, 2023)

Closed Investigations

(April 1, 2023–

September 30, 2023)

Open Investigations

as of September 30, 2023
20 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

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 $8.9 billion, setting an all-time record for spending on 

congressional races and exceeding the 2018 mid-term total by more than 50%.

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.

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 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 21

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.
22 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

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 CIGIE 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). Ms. Smith 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.

TOP MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 23

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, 2023 to September 30, 2023.

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

American Society of 

Access Professionals 

(ASAP)

16th Annual National Training Conference

Association of Certified 

Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

34th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference

Investigating on the Internet

The Big Business of Modern-Day Fraud

Association of Certified 

Fraud Examiners (ACFE) 

Maryland Chapter

2023 Maryland Fraud Conference

Blockbuster Cybersecurity in a Zero Trust World

Association of Inspectors 

General Institute® (AIGI)

Certified Inspector General Auditor

Certified Inspector General Inspector/Evaluator

Congress United States Committee on House Administration – Oversight of the 

Federal Election Commission Hearing

Council of the Inspectors 

General on Integrity and 

Efficiency (CIGIE)

2023 CIGIE/GAO Annual Meeting

2023 CIGIE/GAO Financial Statement Audit Conference

Appropriations Law Seminar

Budget Committee 

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

when Conducting Audits Evaluations and Inspections – Part II 

Contract and Grant Fraud Training 

Deputy Inspector General for Audit Meeting

Deputy Inspector General Quarterly Meeting Diversity, Equity & 

Inclusion (DE&I) Monthly Meeting

Federal Audit Executive Council (FAEC) Annual Conference Planning 

Committee
24 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Council of the Inspectors 

General on Integrity and 

Efficiency (CIGIE)(Cont.)

Inspector General Candidate Review Panel

Inspections and Evaluations (ISE) Town Hall

Leading, Inspiring and Fostering Talent (LIFT) and CIGIE Training 

Institute: CIGIE 101

Legislative Committee Meeting

Monthly Meeting with Inspectors Generals

Monthly Meeting with Counsel

Orbitz Science Based Interviewing Learning Techniques Forum

Tech Tuesday’s

Training Officers CIGIE Admissions Portal (CAP) Training 

Whistleblower Education Forum: Investigations and Beyond – 

Litigation, Reports, Recent Resolutions, and Best Practices

Whistleblower Education Forum: Investigative Techniques

Whistleblower Education Forum: Overview of Whistleblower Laws and 

Protections

Whistleblower Education Forum: Whistleblower Retaliation 

Investigations – Insights and Best Practices

Whistleblower Education Forum: Working with Whistleblowers on 

Oversight and Investigations

Whistleblower Education Forum: Writing Reports of Investigations

Department of Defense 

(DoD)

2023 DoD OIG Annual Hotline Worldwide Outreach

Quarterly Hotline Working Group

eCornell University Leading Remote Teams

Federal Election 

Commission

2023 Annual Security Awareness Training

Budget Committee

Commission Meeting – Executive Session

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Training on Market 

Research

Director’s Meeting

Expecting the Unexpected – Active Threat Awareness Training

Finance Committee Meeting

Financial Statement Audit and Bi-Weekly Status Meeting

LIST OF TRAININGS, MEETINGS & CONFERENCES
LIST OF TRAININGS, MEETINGS & CONFERENCES

SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 25

Trainings, Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

Host / Sponsor Topic / Subject

Federal Election 

Commission (Cont.)

Lunch and Learn: Employee Resource Groups and Affinity Groups

Microsoft Teams Collaboration Training

Occupant Emergency Team Training – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 

(CPR), First Aid, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

OIG New Hire Orientation

OIG Quarterly Update to the Commission

Records Management Managers Training

General Services 

Administration (GSA)

2023 GSA Smart Pay Account Holders Training 

GSA Smart Pay Purchase Card Training Approving Official Training

Market Research as a Service (MRAS) - Effective Market Research

George Mason 

University Chief Risk Officer Executive Development Program

Management Concepts

Maximizing Agency Funds at Fiscal Year-End

Leadership & DEIA in the Federal Government: Laying the 

Appropriations Law

Managing Agency Funds at Fiscal Year End
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 31

Section 5(a)(17), 

(18)

Investigative Reports Table and Metrics (Table IV) 16–19

and 30

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

Substantiated Misconduct None
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 27

IG Act DESCRIPTION PAGE

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

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

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 29

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

Actions Outstanding (>6 Months)

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

Investigation I21INV00037 I21INV00037 08/21 4 0 4 0

Special Review of the 

FEC Contracting Officers 

Representative (COR) 

Program

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

OIG Review of Commission 

Directive 06 2023-10-001 10/22 1 0 1 0

Independent Audit Report 

of FEC’s FY 22 Financial 

Statements

OIG-22-01 11/22 3 0 3 0

Totals 11 0 11 0

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

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Table IV: Summary of Investigative Reports and Actions6

FEC OIG Investigations Courses of Action (April 1, 2023 – Sept 30, 2023) 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

1

Total Investigations Closed 2

6 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.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 31

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 conducted a peer review of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) OIG investigations program 

during the reporting period. The FEC OIG found that the internal safeguards and management procedures for the 

investigative functions of the AOC OIG in effect between October 1, 2021, to January 31, 2023, are in compliance 

with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Quality Standards for Investigations and other 

applicable guidelines.
32 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION | OFFICE of the INSPECTOR GENERAL

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.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT to CONGRESS | APRIL 1, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 33

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.