OIG Timeline: Some Important Events in Our History

Our organization's story. 

We compiled this information after an OIG Facebook friend asked that we share some history about the organization. Thanks for the request, and please let us know if you have others.  

1978 

• Inspector General Act of 1978 passed in the wake of the Watergate scandal.  The legislation was intended to increase transparency and accountability in the Executive Branch.  OIGs have to remain independent and objective, but at the same time, they’re closely tied to their agencies.  We must work collaboratively with SSA and the Congress, to improve agency programs and operations.  

1995

• Our office was created on March 31, 1995, when SSA became an independent agency. The SSA Inspector General is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 
• David C. Williams appointed as the first Inspector General of Social Security. 

1998

• SSA and OIG jointly established the Cooperative Disability Investigations program in five states.  
• OIG Fraud Hotline established. 

1999

• James G. Huse, Jr. appointed as the second Inspector General of Social Security. 

2001

• OIG became involved in investigations of individuals suspected of perpetrating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It quickly became apparent just how instrumental the use of fraudulent Social Security numbers had been for these individuals, who relied on aliases and assumed identities to integrate themselves anonymously into our society.  

2004

• Social Security Protection Act of 2004 passed and included several key provisions related to OIG operations, such as establishing criminal penalties for threats or assaults against SSA employees and authorizing OIG to investigate such cases.
• Patrick P. O’Carroll, Jr. appointed as the third Inspector General of Social Security. 

2005

• OIG became involved in response efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our special agents later pursued hurricane-related fraud investigations, often jointly with FEMA and other agencies. 

2008

• OIG reorganization creates the Electronic Crimes Division, a Federal Government model for computer forensic support for nationwide fraud investigations.
• Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 passed to enhance the independence of the Inspectors General, to increase the professionalism and effectiveness of Inspectors General, and to create a Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.