Public Liaison (Ombudsman) & Hotline

The Public Liaison (Ombudsman)

The Public Liaison Director, formerly known as the Ombudsman, is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and processing complaints and allegations about Agency programs and activities. The Ombudsman function was transferred to the OIG on April 13, 2002. The Public Liaison Director reviews complaints and allegations of fraud, waste, mismanagement or improper conduct of Agency employees or its contractors.

The Hotline

The EPA OIG hotline receives complaints of fraud, waste, and abuse in EPA programs and operations including mismanagement or violations of law, rules, or regulations by EPA employees or program participants. Complaints may be received directly from EPA employees, participants in EPA programs, or the general public.

The EPA OIG hotline is staffed by the Office of Congressional and Public Liaison in Washington, DC. Hotline complaints may be submitted by mail, telephone, fax, or e-mail. Hotline complaints are reviewed by auditors, evaluators, and/or criminal investigators as conditions warrant.

Upon receipt of a specific allegation of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement, the OIG may take any one of the following actions:

(1) open an OIG investigation or audit;

(2) refer the matter to EPA management for appropriate review and action; or

(3) refer the allegation to another Federal agency, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

All matters significant enough to require a response are monitored until the necessary resolution action is planned or taken. Allegations with limited specificity or merit may be held in abeyance until further specific details are reported. Complaints are analyzed to identify trends which should be considered in the audit and investigative planning processes.

Public Liaison (Ombudsman) & Hotline

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