Obstruction of OIG investigations

Obstruction of active OIG inquiries means interfering with the work of an inspector general during an ongoing investigation. Concrete forms include the withholding of documents required by statute to be produced to the IG, the directed transfer of subjects or witnesses to limit IG access, threats against witnesses to deter cooperation, and the public discrediting of the investigation by senior officials. The publication tracks documented interference, not the routine disagreement between an agency and its IG over scope.