For a challenging and interesting career as a criminal investigator, you should apply for employment in the Office of Investigations.

The Office of Investigations has jurisdiction and primary responsibility for criminal investigations relating to programs and operations administered by the VA.

Special agents conduct program related investigations nationwide in response to complaints or allegations regarding violations of federal law. Special agents also maintain active liaison on investigative matters with other federal, state, and local government agencies, including the FBI, state prosecutors and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

VA special agents also participate with various other federal agency investigators on joint investigations of program fraud.

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What is the Function of the Field Office or Resident Agency?

To conduct investigations of criminal and administrative activities affecting the programs and operations of the VA in an independent and objective manner, and assist the Department in detecting and preventing fraud and other criminal violations.

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You would:

  • interview complainants, witnesses and subjects of investigations;
  • conduct proactive fraud awareness training during Combined Assessment Program reviews;
  • serve IG and grand jury subpoenas;
  • review records and collect documentary evidence;
  • write reports of investigations;
  • present findings to federal, state and local prosecuting officials for criminal and/or civil prosecution;
  • make appearances before grand juries and in courts;
  • serve search warrants, conduct searches, seize evidence and make arrests;
  • conduct surveillances; and
  • exhibit proficiency with a semi-automatic pistol on a quarterly basis.

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Examples of recent assignments include investigations of:

  • diversion of drugs;
  • product substitution;
  • false claims;
  • bribery;
  • conflict of interest;
  • embezzlement of funds by employees;
  • contract fraud and defective pricing;
  • home loan guaranty fraud;
  • compensation and pension fraud;
  • fiduciary fraud; and
  • medical eligibility fraud.

Recent investigative assignments have provided opportunities to work with a wide variety of law enforcement professionals, e.g., FBI, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, state and local police, assistant United States attorneys and state and local prosecutors.

We provide extensive basic and advanced criminal investigative training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA. The Criminal Investigator Basic Training Program is approximately 9 weeks and the Inspector General Basic Training Program is about 4 weeks.

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