The CPB Inspector General provides independent and objective oversight of CPB operations and initiatives. The OIG provides the CPB Board of Directors, CPB management, and Congress with analyses and recommendations on controls and accountability over CPB operations and initiatives.
Under the IG Act, the OIG has the authority and responsibility to:
- Conduct audits, evaluations, and investigations that the Inspector General deems necessary;
- Review and comment on legislation and regulations;
- Recommend policies and procedures to promote efficient and effective operations and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse at CPB and its grantees;
- Receive and investigate complaints from employees concerning possible violations of laws, rules, or regulations, mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, and specific dangers to public health and safety. If requested, the Inspector General must protect the identity of employees who submit complaints unless the Inspector General determines that disclosure is unavoidable. The Inspector General must also ensure that no retaliation or reprisal is taken against employees who submit complaints.
- The OIG has specific powers and protections enabling the office to do its work, including:
- Access to all relevant records, documents, and information at CPB, its grantees and contractors;
- Authority to subpoena documents and, if necessary, to enforce that subpoena in the appropriate federal district court;
- Discretion to perform any audit or investigation that the Inspector General considers necessary;
- Authority to administer oaths, affirmations, or affidavits needed to conduct audits and investigations; and
- Authority to contract for services, and to select, appoint, employ, and organize, as necessary, staff to carry out purposes of the IG Act.