Special Inquiries Division

USPS OIG Investigations

The Special Inquiries Division conducts criminal and administrative investigations of Postal Service and OIG executives, Inspection Service, and OIG personnel, as well as allegations of whistleblower reprisal.

In the Postal Service, a whistleblower is an employee, a former employee, or an applicant for employment who reports misconduct to people or entities that have the power to take corrective action. Generally, the misconduct is a violation of law, rule, regulation, and/or a direct threat to public interest — fraud, health, safety violations, and corruption are just a few examples. To be eligible for whistleblower protection, the employee must reasonably believe his or her employer has committed a violation of some law, rule, or regulation.

OIG whistleblower activity reported during the April 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007, period includes the following: allegations received: 44, OIG investigations initiated: 32, investigations closed with no finding of retaliation or deferred to other adjudicative body: 23, open investigations: 9, and OIG found reprisals: 0.