Administrative Investigations

Marguerite C. Garrison, Deputy Inspector General for Administrative Investigations

Mission

Administrative Investigations (AI) helps ensure ethical conduct throughout the DoD by conducting investigations and overseeing DoD Component investigations of allegations of misconduct by senior DoD officials, whistleblower reprisal, and Service member restriction from communication with an IG or Member of Congress.  AI also manages the DoD Hotline and the Contractor Disclosure Program, provides education and training on whistleblower protections through its Whistleblower Protection Coordinator, and facilitates voluntary resolution of whistleblower reprisal allegations through its Alternative Dispute Resolution program.

May 18, 2022

Whistleblower Reprisal Investigation: Colonel Yevgeny S. Vindman, U.S. Army (DODIG-2022-097)

We conducted this investigation in response to a complaint filed with the DoD Hotline on August 18, 2020, alleging that various administration officials, including former President Donald J. Trump, took actions against Lieutenant Colonel( LTC) YevgenyVindman (the Complainant), U.S. Army, while he was serving at the National Security Council, Washington, D.C., in reprisal for his protected communications.

Nov. 16, 2021

Review of the Department of Defense’s Role, Responsibilities, and Actions to Prepare for and Respond to the Protest and its Aftermath at the U.S. Capitol Campus on January 6, 2021 (DODIG-2022-039)

This report presents the results of the DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG) review of the DoD’s role, responsibilities, and actions to prepare for and respond to the protest and its aftermath at the U.S. Capitol Campus on January 6, 2021.

Oct. 21, 2021

Review of the Selection Process and Administrative Leave of the Former National Security Agency General Counsel (DODIG-2022-002)

This report presents the results of the DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG) review of the selection of Mr. Michael J. Ellis, then-Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Intelligence Programs, National Security Council (NSC), for the civil service position of the National Security Agency (NSA) General Counsel (GC). Specifically, our review examined the process to select Mr. Ellis as the NSA GC and the placement of Mr. Ellis on administrative leave pending an NSA inquiry into alleged security incidents involving Mr. Ellis by General (GEN) Paul M. Nakasone, U.S. Army, U.S. Cyber Command, Commander, and NSA Director.

June 21, 2021

Report of Investigation: Mr. Brett J. Goldstein, Defense Digital Service Director (DODIG-2021-092)

On June 19, 2020, the DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation into allegations against Brett J. Goldstein, Director, Defense Digital Service (DDS), that alleged he fostered a negative work environment by failing to treat his subordinates with dignity and respect. During the course of our investigation, we also examined an emergent allegation that Mr. Goldstein used and condoned the use of an unauthorized electronic messaging and voice-calling application to discuss official DoD information.

May 26, 2021

Oversight Review: DC National Guard's Use of Helicopters on June 1, 2020 (DODIG-2021-089)

Publicly Released: May 27, 2021

The DoD OIG Investigations of Senior Officials Directorate (ISO) conducted an oversight review of the District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) command-directed investigation (Army Regulation (AR) 15-6 investigation). ISO also reviewed the September 22, 2020 Report of Investigation (ROI) and December 21, 2020 memorandum. The ROI and the AR 15-6 investigation examined actions surrounding the use of DCNG helicopters to support local law enforcement authorities during a civil disturbance in Washington, D.C., on June 1, 2020.