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| Office of General Counsel
Mission The Office of General Counsel (OC) provides legal advice to the Inspector General, his senior staff, and others in OIG on the full range of activities within OIG, including inspections, investigations and audits. OC is responsible for managing OIG's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs. The Counsel to the Inspector General reports to the Inspector General, and is independent from the State Department's Legal Adviser and BBG's General Counsel. To maintain and ensure its independence, the OIG has its own Office of Counsel (OC), which reports to and is under the supervision of the Inspector General rather than the Legal Adviser of the Department of State or the General Counsel of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. OC's primary functions include the following: Legal Advice Concerning OIG Activities: OC provides legal advice to OIG personnel during the planning and performance of their duties, such as identifying and analyzing legal issues that bear on audit and inspection findings and recommendations, or investigative activities; providing guidance to ensure that those involved in OIG investigations are accorded legal rights; and coordinating with the counsel's office in other agencies. In conjunction with the Department of Justice, OC represents the OIG in federal litigation. Review of Products and Policies: All OIG audit, inspection and investigative reports and internal policies are reviewed and approved by OC before being finalized and issued. OC reviews and comments on proposed legislation and regulations, revisions to the Foreign Affairs Manual, and initiatives of the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE). Finally, all other OIG products, regardless of form or type are reviewed and approved by OC prior to presentation or issuance. Freedom of Information/Privacy Act: OC ensures OIG compliance with FOIA/PA issues. OC reviews OIG products, redacting as appropriate, for posting on the OIG website and for dissemination to the Department, to the Congress, to the public and to FOIA/PA requesters. Personnel Issues: OC represents the OIG in EEO complaints, mediations, grievances, disciplinary actions, or other administrative litigation related OIG personnel issues, including referral of items to the PCIE integrity committee. Ethics Issues: OC provides guidance and review and clearance on request of the Inspector General and OIG employees on ethics-related issues, such as outside employment and post employment, service on outside boards, and participation in outside organizations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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