The last phase is the least costly because significant agent expenses and witness costs are not incurred. While an Independent Counsel can control, to a certain extent, the size of his investigative staff, he does not, and cannot control the length of his investigation. When an Independent Counsel encounters delays in the investigative, trial, or appellate phases of the investigation, the delays increase the costs because they lengthen the process. Independent Counsels are required by statute to submit a Statement of Expenditures every six months. October 1 through March 31, and April 1 through September 30.
Audit reports are available to the public.
Independent Counsels are also required to provide a semiannual Statement of Expenses to the Special Division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. An estimate of future expenses is also required with each submission. The following graph displays total costs incurred by this Office in each of the 6-month periods corresponding to the GAO audit periods. Costs increased through the first four full periods, and then receded as the Office completed various activities. The amount of activities correlates with the level of costs shown in the graph.