Ethics & Professionalism Flashcards

An IG receives a complaint against a close personal friend who is also a senior official in the agency. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Recuse from the matter and refer it to the appropriate authority

Recusal is required when a personal relationship creates an actual or apparent conflict of interest that could compromise objectivity.

Which principle is most directly violated when an IG shares confidential investigative details with agency leadership before a report is finalized?

Answer: Independence

Premature disclosure to agency leadership can compromise the IG's independence by allowing undue influence over the investigation's outcome.

The CIGIE model legislation requires IGs to report to Congress when their access to records is unreasonably denied. This requirement primarily serves to protect:

Answer: Congressional oversight authority

Reporting obstruction to Congress preserves Congressional oversight by ensuring that legislative bodies know when executive agencies are impeding IG functions.

An IG investigator learns during a non-related audit that an agency employee may have committed fraud. Under professional standards, the investigator should:

Answer: Document and refer the information through proper channels

Government Auditing Standards require auditors to communicate information about fraud or illegal acts discovered incidentally to those responsible for action.

Which behavior best exemplifies the professional standard of due professional care in IG work?

Answer: Applying appropriate skepticism and gathering sufficient evidence

Due professional care requires exercising professional skepticism and gathering sufficient, appropriate evidence rather than accepting representations at face value.

An IG is offered a position with a contractor that the IG's office regularly audits. What is the primary ethical concern?

Answer: Conflict of interest and revolving door issues

Post-employment restrictions exist to prevent conflicts of interest where personal financial interests in a prospective employer could influence ongoing official duties.

Under the Inspector General Act, which of the following best describes an IG's relationship to the agency head?

Answer: The IG operates independently but reports administratively to the agency head

IGs have administrative reporting relationships to agency heads but maintain operational independence to avoid influence over their oversight activities.