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The OIG Investigations Division's mission is to investigate alleged violations of fraud, abuse and integrity laws that govern agency employees, operations, grantees and contractors. As a result of these investigations, OIG special agents develop cases for criminal prosecution and civil or administrative action.
The primary duty of the OIG Miami Field Office (MFO) special agents is to investigate allegations of criminal and administrative misconduct by Component employees in the MFO's geographical area of responsibility. The OIG special agents interview witnesses, confidential sources, and others that may be known to the employee under investigation. In addition, the MFO special agents are required on occasion to act in an undercover capacity during these investigations of Component personnel. Therefore, being seen in the Federal building office space, elevator, or parking garage would put an active investigation in jeopardy.
Furthermore, because of the OIG's unique oversight role of agency Components, the MFO special agents investigate and arrest tactfully sound, well trained, and armed subjects - other law enforcement personnel. The OIG is particularly cognizant of the risks involved with investigating trained federal law enforcement personnel because the only OIG special agent killed in the line of duty was shot and killed by an agency Component employee during an arrest operation.
It is imperative that the OIG agents are not unnecessarily placed in harm's way and that the OIG's independence and investigative mission is not hindered or thwarted by co-locating the MFO special agents with other agency employees, attorneys, or court officials. Because the Fort Lauderdale Federal Building is occupied by the US Marshals, ATF and other DOJ Component personnel (all potentially subject to investigation by MFO agents), it is unacceptable office space for the MFO for the reasons stated above.