IGs hire their own people (including financial auditors and even armed criminal investigators), issue their own subpoenas for documents, and have Your real estate agent is a big resource here, as they should have negotiation strategies that help buyers and sellers meet in the middle on repair requests and come up with reasonable solutions. Finally, we also set our own priorities for audits, inspections, and evaluations weighing issues such as risk, the past experience of the Department and Components, the cost to the U.S. taxpayer, and impact to the DHS mission. Recording is to the benefit of all parties, because it ensures that a definitive record exists of both what was asked and the information provided in response. This began a bout of negotiations that resulted in the hold of presidential nominees and eventually a bicameral congressional investigation into the matter. You need a real backbone to wring wrongdoing from the bowels of the bureaucracy. Cracking foundations, settling, and basement water damage can be costly fixes. Everything in a real estate transaction is negotiable, including the type of professional used to conduct a home inspection. There are states where Realtors do not attend the inspection the only person who goes is the inspector, by him or herself. A lock A: Employees of the Department are required to cooperate fully with any OIG investigation, as prescribed by Department Administrative Order (DAO) 207-10, Section 6, and Department Organization Order (DOO) 10-13, Section 4. He can reset the norm for when its appropriate to fire an inspector general and back it up by throwing his weight behind inspector general reform. Theyll look at the electrical panel, run all the faucets. And, the law says that IGs are supposed to be objective and independent. You want them to be licensed because most will provide a warranty, she notes. If you would like to discuss your potential claim call us at (202) 463-6036 or email us at alan.lescht@leschtlaw.com. (LockA locked padlock) IGs have found everything from blatant government employee misconduct to procurement fraud and much more. Call FEMA's toll-free fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 or local law enforcement officials if you Thats not very much money to help that buyer fix the issue, However, if the problems will cost $5,000 to fix and the buyer asks the seller for credit toward their closing costs in lieu of repairs, the buyer can retain $5,000 of their money to then put toward the repairs, new carpeting, a new deck, decorating or whatever they want to do.. She also recommends buyers request another type of inspection a radon inspection. It really is best that you avail yourself of your right to remain silent and let counsel deal with this for you. Similarly, it is not appropriate for management to question such employees about OIG interviews or requests, including specific questions asked or the content of interviews. Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. (1) you will not be able to say anything that could come back to hurt you, (2) the attorney can get the answer to the question you posted, and (3) your attorney will then be in a position to advise you on how to respond to the situation. All of these activities could have been completed within a week. They could be investigating a potential crime where you may be an unknowing victim or where they think you may have information about the crime but are not a target of the investigation. increase the professionalism and effectiveness of personnel by developing policies, standards, and approaches to aid in the establishment of a well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the offices of Inspector General. The OIG cannot force you to answer questions; however, your supervisor can discipline you for refusing to do so. As noted above, an employee's management can become involved if the employee declines to participate in a recorded interview. However, just like with the seller, others argue that the listing agent shouldnt be present at the inspection because this is the buyers opportunity to roam the property without feeling as though the agent is spying on them. If Ive learned anything about oversight in my time in Congress, its that this type of work is not for the faint-hearted, thin-skinned or thick-headed. Connect with a top agent to find your dream home. WebAccording to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the Inspector Generals mission is to: Conduct independent and objective audits and investigations relating and plan your strategy. They could be calling you for anyone of several reasons. I will assume the real underlying question is what you should do about the call. The amount and type of credit you offer to the buyer varies based on the level of repairs needed, but youre in good company . OIG initiates investigations based on information received from a variety of sources, including: OIG's fraud, waste and abuse hotline; Departmental, GAO, and DOJ referrals; Congressional requests; and referrals from OSC regarding whistleblower disclosures. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. believes you are involved in criminal activity, you could be subject to workplace discipline as well as criminal prosecution by the Justice Department for prosecution. A contractor who anticipates getting the work to make any repairs or renovations, for example, may be more likely to mention issues that are advantageous to his business. Cooperation includes being fully candid and forthcoming when interviewed and providing any requested records in the employee's possession or to which he/she has access. The inspector will test every window, check every outlet, test the appliances, walk the roof, go in the attic, go in the crawl space. Note that buyers who are getting cold feet will sometimes use the inspection as an excuse to back out, even if the report only finds minor issues. Thats why Ive been developing bipartisan reforms to sharpen the independent authority and recruitment of those hired and confirmed to serve as inspectors general. We can only hope that the Integrity Committee doesnt take another three years to issue a conclusion on another rogue inspector general its far too long to wait. Contingencies in real estate purchase agreements normally call for such inspections to be conducted within time limits or risk sale cancellation. You can always offer to barter with other items, like furniture that wasnt originally included but the buyer might want, or appliances you werent planning on leaving behind. Evette is just your average HGTV fan who dreams of having a home worthy of being on one of those shows. For example, if the electric needs to be re-wired, you should hire a licensed electrician. The National Research Council published a report that supports the EPAs (Environmental Protection Agency) claims that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, claiming 15,000 lives each year. Our lawyers and staff will do everything possible within the law to protect your rights and your employment. No matter what you plan to do, discuss your options with your agent because they can give you advice that will make the home inspection process a little less stressful. Back According to the Inspector General Act, Inspectors General are appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations. For example, when a homebuyer and a seller agree on a sale, the purchase agreement may contain contingencies, such as the home passing an inspection. The DHS Inspector General and other Cabinet-level Inspectors General can only be removed by the President, after advance notice to both Houses of Congress. To fully safeguard statutorily required IG independence, were also going to make sure that the President cannot place political appointees with clear conflicts of interest into acting IG roles. Leaky pipes (and resulting water damage), failing water heaters, and sewer system problems are some of the most expensive. It can even give you an out if there are issues that you feel are dealbreakers and decide not to move forward post-inspection. The OIG makes recommendations to improve the programs and operations of DHS. Employees are obligated to provide the best, most accurate, and complete information. In recent months, a lot of attention has focused on the nations Inspectors General. Post a free question on our public forum. The inspector will go through the house and examine the structural integrity of the home, mechanical systems, and so forth. You can read more about him here. Attn: Office of Investigations - HOTLINE Used under license. So, they should want to move the deal forward as much as you do. Fast forward to the last several months, when the current president followed this courts incorrect ruling and the Obama precedent, by removing two Senate-confirmed IGs, placing them on administrative leave, and telling Congress only, as Obama once did before, that he had lost confidence in them. Through its investigative and audit findings and recommendations, OIG helps protect and strengthen Departmental programs and operations. So, who should attend the inspection? How could any administration put its faith in a watchdog tasked with investigating a federal agency if the watchdog herself obstructs investigations? If you are under investigaiton by the OIG, or are requested to appear at an OIG interview, it is important to know what is at stake. The information shared above about the question, TOP 10 why would the inspector general come to my house BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why would the harris county attorney send me a letter BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why would the georgia department of public health call me BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 why would the dept of treasury send me a letter BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why would the dept of public health call me BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why would the dept of health call me BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why would the department of treasury send me a letter BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why would the department of public health call me BEST and NEWEST. A: In addition to the Inspector General Act and the Departmental directives referenced above, OIG investigations are conducted in accordance with the Quality Standards for Investigations issued by the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), and the Attorney General Guidelines for Offices of Inspectors General with Statutory Law Enforcement Authority. As always, when you have a legal issue you should consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Home sellers and buyers should ensure that home inspection contingencies are clear and unambiguous. Learn more, .subnav-back-arrow-st0{fill:none;stroke:#0074E4;stroke-linecap:round;} The home inspector is the only person who has to be present they are conducting the inspection, after all. His initial hesitancy is understandable. These episodes have convinced me that the Executive Branch, regardless of what party is in charge, just doesnt get it. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. The best thing to do is let them tell you why they are calling you and " we just want to ask you a few questions is NOT an acceptable answer" Then after they tell you what they want to talk about it would be best to retain counsel to communicate with them and do all of the talking for you. If youre selling your house on your own, then it makes sense for you to attend the home inspection. Whistleblower Retaliation Reports of Investigation, Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the DHS Inspector General on July 25, 2019. While anonymous complaints are accepted, they often present the greatest difficulty to investigate as there is not a person for OIG to contact for allegation particulars. Sense why would the inspector general come to my house you to attend the home inspection most expensive calling you for refusing to so... 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