Background and Responsibilities

The Office of the State Inspector General (OIG) was created on January 13, 2003, by Executive Order of Governor Sonny Perdue.

OIG is charged with fostering and promoting accountability and integrity in state government. OIG has the authority to investigate complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and corruption in all executive branch agencies, departments, commissions, authorities and any entity of state government that is headed by an appointee of the Governor. Excluded from our jurisdiction are the General Assembly and any Courts.

Pursuant to our Executive Order, OIG has the authority to enter upon the premises of any state agency at any time without prior announcement, to inspect the premises or to investigate any complaint. OIG also has the authority to question any state employee serving in, and any other person transacting business with, the state agency. In addition, OIG has the authority to inspect and copy any books, records, or papers in the possession of the state agency, except where otherwise prohibited by law.

Upon completion of an investigation, a report of investigation is prepared which includes a summary of the case, actions taken, and our findings and conclusions. The report also contains our determination as to whether there is reasonable cause to believe that a wrongful act, an omission or an act of impropriety occurred. Reports may include administrative recommendations to improve agency policy and procedures in order to avoid recurrence of fraud, waste, abuse or corruption.

Reports of investigation are provided to the Governor and the department head of the agency/person under investigation. Should OIG find indications of criminal wrongdoing, the report and relevant documents will be forwarded to the appropriate prosecutorial authority. Reports of investigation are available to the public upon conclusion of investigation.

Our current Inspector General is Elizabeth Pequeno Archer, Esq.