How to Respond when an OIG Agent Wants to Talk

If you are under investigation, one of the ways to know about it is when you get a visit by an OIG agent. OIG stands for the Office of Inspector General. OIG agents are normally used in a case where a federal employee is accused of engaging in federal criminal activity. So, you could be seated at your desk in your office working diligently and helping customers as a federal employee when an OIG agent walks into your office and asks to talk to you. In other cases, the agent might send you an email asking for a meeting or might even contact you through your supervisor at your workplace. Another way of an agent contacting you is calling your office number directly to inform you of a pending federal investigation. When you learn that you are under federal investigation by receiving information from an OIG agent, what do you do?

Relax

It is expected that after learning that you are under federal investigation, such a matter has a possibility of making you stressed. So, you should just take a breath as you figure out what steps to take. Many people find themselves in trouble because they rush to make bad decisions out of frustrations. Being contacted by an IOG agent is not something that many people would look forward to. Therefore it is expected you will become emotional immediately you receive a call or an email from Office of Inspector General. If the agent has personally approached you in your office, it is a moment where you'll be required to make the right decision immediately. One of the biggest mistakes that one can do is to respond to the agent in the heat of the moment. It is advisable to take some minutes to relax as you absorb the challenge ahead of you. You can even ask the agent give you some time to think before talking to them. You can ask for a day or even a week to prepare yourself adequately. It is best for you to have some space to think through the matter before talking to the agent.

Do you want to talk?

If you decided to talk to the urgent, it is prudent to first and listen carefully to what they have to tell you. Make sure that before uttering a word you have understood what they have against you. Sometimes, they can give warnings about what is likely to occur in case you fail to corporate. In a case where you are under duress to talk, it is common that you will feel the pressure and you might mess up your case. If the agent came through your supervisor, you can ask whether it is mandatory for you to talk to the agent. Verify with your supervisor whether there are any bad consequences in case you decline to speak to the agent. You do not want to put yourself at crossroads where you lose your job while under federal investigations.

Hiring a lawyer

Anytime you find yourself under federal investigation, one of the early measures to take is to hire the services of a federal criminal lawyer. You do not want to put yourself in a position where you respond to legal issues by yourself. With the assistance of a lawyer, you will receive relevant counsel that will help you in responding adequately to your case. Before hiring a lawyer, it is important to understand the reason behind the investigations. It is at such a point that you'll be in a position to hire a lawyer specializing in a particular field. For example, if you are facing investigation for a fraud case, you should seek the services of a lawyer who has experience from helping other clients in similar cases. It is also important to pick a lawyer who understands the legal statutes in your area. The U.S. Justice System has over 4000 statutes applied under different jurisdictions. You need to be sure that the lawyer you are hiring has sufficient experience practicing in your area.

Working with Your Lawyer During an OIG Investigation

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Once you know that an OIG agent is looking for you, you definitely know that there is a federal investigation taking place and you are involved. You should ensure that you only tell the truth to the agent and avoid bringing on board witnesses who will lie on your behalf. You should take the time to accumulate evidence that will absorb you from the allegations. A lawyer can help you to deal with the issues at hand smoothly. It is relaxing to know that you have someone who understands the legal issues that might have face you.

Key Considerations When Contacted by an OIG Agent

Situation	Recommended Action
Agent appears at your office	Take time to relax and ask for time to think before responding
Agent contacts through supervisor	Verify if talking is mandatory and what consequences exist for declining
Agent calls or emails you	Don't respond immediately - take time to prepare and consider hiring legal counsel
Under pressure to talk	Remember you have rights - consult with an attorney before making statements