An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know Menu Search Search Office of Inspector General CONTACT US About EPA's Office of Inspector General On this Page: Who, What, Why Vision, Mission and Core Values IG Biography Deputy IG Biography How We Are Organized U.S. Chemical Safety Board EPA OIG Related Resource Links What is the EPA OIG? The Office of Inspector General is an independent organization that performs audits and investigations of the EPA to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse. Learn more Contact the OIG Hotline OIG Reports Subscribe to OIG Updates Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Contact the OIG Looking for OIG Publications? Who, What, Why Who We Are The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient and cost effective manner. We consist of auditors, program analysts, investigators, and others with extensive expertise. Although we are a part of EPA, Congress provides us with our funding separate from the agency, to ensure our independence. We were created pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. Learn more in our OIG Brochures on Fraud, Waste and Abuse. For explanations of some commonly asked questions and misunderstood terms, visit our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms page. Contact the OIG U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2410T) Washington, DC 20460 202.566.2391 202.566.2549 (Fax) OIG_WEBCOMMENTS@epa.gov For more contact details, please visit our Contact webpage. What We Do Conduct independent audits, evaluations and investigations; make evidence-based recommendations to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness; and prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement and misconduct for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. We also provide hotline services to our agencies. We discuss issues with EPA management and others, including Congress, and provide detailed reports. Twice a year, we provide a Semiannual Report to Congress that identifies significant EPA deficiencies and proposed corrective actions and profiles our accomplishments. Why We Do It We strive to be a premier oversight organization trusted to speak the truth, promote good governance, and contribute to improved human health and the environment. We provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place. Vision, Mission and Core Values Vision and Mission Our Vision Be the premier oversight organization trusted to speak the truth, promote good governance, and contribute to improved human health and the environment. Our Mission Conduct independent audits, evaluations and investigations; make evidence-based recommendations to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness; and prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement and misconduct for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Our Goals Contribute to improved EPA and CSB programs and operations protecting human health and the environment, and enhancing safety. Conduct audits, evaluations and investigations that enable the EPA and the CSB to improve business practices and accountability. Improve OIG processes, resource allocation and accountability to meet stakeholder needs. Core Values Customer Service: Everyone deserves to be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity. We are committed to treating our customers and stakeholders—EPA, CSB, Congress, the public, and each other— with fairness, respect, and dignity. We are committed to individual and organizational excellence. We are committed to building and sustaining a competent, innovative, diverse, and dedicated workforce. Integrity: Our people and products are trustworthy. We are committed to producing independent, objective, quality, and timely work products that are accurate, factual, thorough, and relevant Our people are committed to teamwork, professionalism, and the highest ethical standards Our processes are transparent Accountability: We are individually and collectively responsible for all we do. We lead by example and are responsible and accountable to one another Our work returns value to stakeholders, taxpayers, and others. We hold ourselves and others accountable for compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and sound business practices We are an independent voice without preference or prejudice IG Biography Inspector General Sean O’Donnell (click to enlarge) Sean W. O’Donnell was sworn in as the Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on January 27, 2020. The mission of the Office of Inspector General is to promote economy and efficiency at the EPA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, as well as detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse related to the programs and operations of those two agencies. To this end, Mr. O’Donnell oversees a nationwide workforce of attorneys, auditors, special agents, and support personnel who support the Office’s mission by providing evidence-based reports to the agencies, the public, and to Congress. Prior to becoming the Inspector General, Mr. O’Donnell spent 15 years at the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. Over his career at the DOJ, he handled a wide range of criminal and civil matters, such as commercial and governmental fraud, corruption, and national security matters. In total, Mr. O’Donnell’s work in fighting fraud helped return approximately $3 billion to the U.S. Treasury and brought numerous individuals and corporations to justice. Mr. O’Donnell received numerous awards and honors at the DOJ, including the Attorney General’s Award and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys Director’s Award. Early in his career, Mr. O’Donnell clerked for U.S. Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and U.S. District Judge Harry Lee Hudspeth on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. He also spent time in private practice, working on intellectual property and antitrust litigation, among other matters. Mr. O’Donnell is active in his community, having served on his city’s redistricting and ethics commissions. His contribution to youth sports in his community has been recognized through awards and other accolades. Mr. O’Donnell has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Texas A&M University, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Washington, and a master’s degree in economics and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Deputy IG Biography Deputy Inspector General Charles J. Sheehan Charles J. Sheehan became Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2012. Before his appointment, Mr. Sheehan served four years as Judge on the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board. Prior to this, he was the Regional Counsel for EPA Region 6, comprising Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Before entering the EPA, Mr. Sheehan was General Counsel of the U.S.-Mexico Border Environment Cooperation Commission. For nearly 15 years, he was a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, most of that period with the department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, where he represented the EPA and other federal agencies in enforcement and defensive litigation in district and appellate courts under major federal environmental statutes. Mr. Sheehan earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is a member of the bar of the District of Columbia. How We Are Organized Explore the EPA Office of the Inspector General organization chart and learn more about the different offices within the OIG. Immediate Office of the Inspector General Sean W. O’Donnell, Inspector General Biography of the Inspector General Charles J. Sheehan, Deputy Inspector General Biography of the Deputy Inspector General Edward S. Shields, Associate Deputy Inspector General Contact (202) 566-0847 (202) 566-0857 (Fax) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2410T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart Office of Audit Katherine Trimble, Assistant Inspector General Laura Nicolosi, Deputy Assistant Inspector General James Hatfield, Associate Deputy Assistant Inspector General The Office of Audit conducts financial and performance audits to determine the efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of Agency business operations and financial management. Audits assess the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse; the award and management of grants and contracts; management of information technology; and ways to realize cost savings and other efficiencies. [1] “Agency” refers both to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Contact (202) 566-0824 Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2421T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart Office of Counsel and Congressional and Public Affairs Counsel Benjamin May, Counsel to the Inspector General Thomas Collick, Deputy Counsel to the Inspector General Susan Barvenik, Associate Deputy Counsel The Office of Counsel provides independent legal and policy advice to all components of the OIG on a variety of substantive and procedural matters relating to the OIG’s audit, evaluation, investigation, and other activities. This office represents the OIG in administrative litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Labor. OC manages the OIG ethics program, providing ethics training, advice, and financial disclosure reviews. OC also coordinates OIG responses to Freedom of Information Act and other document requests. OC also houses the role of the Whistleblower Protection Coordinator who can provide educational information to Agency employees (as well as employees of EPA contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, or personal services contractors) who have made or are contemplating making a protected disclosure about prohibitions on retaliation for protection disclosures and the rights and remedies against retaliation for protected disclosures – including the means by which employees may seek review of any allegation of reprisal, and the roles of the Office of Inspector General, the Office of Special Counsel, the Merit Systems Protection Board and any other relevant entities. OC activities also include legal reviews as deemed necessary by the Inspector General in response to requests by members of Congress, the agency, or the public. Contact (202) 566-0863 (202) 566-0870 (Fax) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2411T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin May, Counsel to the Inspector General Jennifer Kaplan, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Congressional and Public Affairs The Office of Congressional and Public Affairs communicates with Congress, the news media and the general public about the OIG’s work, including responding to inquiries and requests. OCPA edits, publishes online and disseminates OIG reports and correspondence. This office also is responsible for managing the OIG’s website and social media platforms, creating multimedia products, operating the OIG’s main phone line and email inbox, and handling internal communications. In addition, the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs is responsible for the OIG Hotline, which encourages suggestions for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of agency programs, and receives complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in EPA programs and operations, as well as violations of law, regulations and policies by EPA and CSB employees, grantees, contractors and program participants. Contact (202) 566-2391 (202) 566-2549 (Fax) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2491T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart Office of the Chief of Staff Kellie Walker, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff The Office of the Chief of Staff encompasses Strategic Planning and Initiatives and Data Analytics directorates. SPI oversees the OIG’s strategic and annual plans; leads the development of top management challenges for the EPA and the CSB; and initiates projects to identify best OIG practices. DA supports the Office of Audit, the Office of Evaluation, and the Office of Investigations by leveraging advanced analytics that highlight key risk areas to program integrity within EPA programs and operations. SPI and DA support all aspects of the EPA OIG mission. Contact (202) 566-2970 (202) 566-2549 (Fax) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2133A) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart Office of Investigations Helina P. Wong, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Craig Ulmer, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Thomas Roelke, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations The Office of Investigations investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct having an impact on EPA programs and operations. OI refers its findings to the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecution or to EPA or EPA OIG management for action. The types of allegations our special agents may investigate include, but are not limited to: Financial fraud, such as contract and grant fraud. Employee Integrity. Cybercrime. Laboratory Fraud. Theft of EPA property or funds. Contact (202) 566-0819 (202) 566-0814 (Fax) (888) 546-8740 (OIG Hotline) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2431T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart Office of Management Stephanie Wright, Assistant Inspector General Jee Kim, Acting Deputy Assistant Inspector General Lauretta Joseph, Acting Associate Deputy Assistant Inspector General The Office of Management serves as the corporate focal point, under the Immediate Office of the Inspector General. OM is responsible for organization-wide coordination and leadership in promoting the most efficient use and accountability for OIG resources in effectively achieving its mission and strategic goals. OM is comprised of three directorates which provide support services for Budget, Planning, Performance Results, Human Resources, and Information Technology. These directorates form the cornerstone of the available management services within the OIG. The Business Analysis and Results Directorate supports budget formulation and execution, planning and policy, and facilities management. The Human Resources Directorate provides operational support for Human Resource activities such as recruiting and staffing while the Human Capital component addresses employee development and employee relations. Lastly, the Information Technology Directorate provides software development, infrastructure and technical support services along with information security, records, and property management. Contact (202) 566-0847 (202) 566-0857 (Fax) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2410T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart Office of Special Review and Evaluation Paul Bergstrand, Acting Assistant Inspector General Erin Barnes-Weaver, Acting Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Evaluation Kristin Kafka, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Administrative Investigations The Office of Special Review and Evaluation focuses on oversight of programs, offices, and centers, evaluating whether and how they are effectively and efficiently meeting legal, regulatory, congressional, and public requirements and expectation as well as how the EPA implements, executes, and enforces new and existing requirements and on the extent to which stakeholders can rely on those requirements. The office conducts administrative investigations of allegations of misconduct by senior agency employees and complaints of whistleblower reprisal by agency employees, or employees of agency contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees or personal services contractors. The office also performs special reviews of significant events and emergent issues of concern that involve a suspected or alleged violation of law, regulation, or policy, or allegations of serious mismanagement. Contact (202) 566-1363 (Paul Bergstrand) (303) 312-6871 (Erin Barnes-Weaver) (202) 566-2061 (Kristin Kafka) (202) 566-0837 (Fax) Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2421T) EPA Mailing Addresses Washington, DC 20460 Return to OIG Org Chart U.S. Chemical Safety Board The Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency holds the position of Inspector General for the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The U.S. CSB is authorized by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and became operational in January 1998. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducts annual financial audits and evaluations of information security. The OIG also reports on CSB programs. In addition to audits, the OIG provides a hotline service to receive complaints of fraud, waste and abuse in CSB programs and operations including mismanagement or violations of law, rules, or regulations. Complaints may be received directly from CSB employees or the general public. U.S. Chemical Safety Board EPA OIG Related Resource Links Helpful resources for questions and concerns that do not involve reportable fraud, waste and abuse in U.S. EPA programs: EPA Links External Links Terms & Acronyms used by EPA EPA People Locator EPA Hotlines EPA Program and Regional Offices EPA Laboratories and Research Centers The following links exit the site State and Territorial Governments Local Governments State and Tribal Governments USA.gov IGnet (CIGIE) Directory of Inspectors General Federal Register Regulations.gov The White House OIG Independence of EPA The EPA's Office of Inspector General is a part of the EPA, although Congress provides our funding separate from the agency, to ensure our independence. We were created pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. 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