The Executive Assistant to the Chairman assists the Chairman in consideration of legal, financial, and economic problems encountered in the administration of the Commission's statutes. He or she arranges for and conducts conferences with officials of the Commission, members of the staff, and/or representatives of the public on matters arising with regard to general programs or specific matters. Acting for the Chairman, he or she furnishes the initiative, executive direction, and authority for staff studies and reports bearing on the Commission's administration of the laws and its relations with the public, industry, and the Congress. The Executive Assistant is also responsible for assisting members of the Commission in the preparation of the opinions of the Commission, and to the Commission for the preparation of opinions and decisions on motions and certifications of questions and rulings by administrative law judges in the course of administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of the Commission's Rules of Practice (Sec. 201.102(e) of this chapter), and in other cases in which the Chairman or the General Counsel has determined that separation of functions requirements or other circumstances would make inappropriate the exercise of such functions by the General Counsel. In cases where, pursuant to a waiver by the parties of separation of function requirements, another Division or Office of the Commission's staff undertakes to prepare an opinion or decision, such Division or Office rather than the Executive Assistant will prepare such opinion or decision, although the Executive Assistant may assist in such preparation. The Executive Assistant is further responsible for the exercise of such review functions with respect to adjudicatory matters as are delegated to him or her by the Commission pursuant to 101 Stat. 1254 (15 U.S.C. 78d-1, 78d-2) or as may be otherwise delegated or assigned to him or her. [54 FR 18100, Apr. 27, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 32794, June 23, 1995] Sec. 200.16a Inspector General.
(a) Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, (5 U.S.C. app.) the Inspector General performs independent and objective investigations and audits relating to the Commission's programs and operations. An investigation seeks to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Commission's programs and operations, such as violations of federal statutes or regulations by contractors and Commission employees or the Standards Of Ethical Conduct For Employees of the Executive Branch. An audit seeks to determine whether:
(1) Program goals and results identified in enabling legislation are achieved.
(2) Resources are efficiently and economically used and managed.
(3) Financial operations are properly conducted.
(4) Financial reports are fairly presented.
(5) Applicable laws and regulations are complied with.
(b) In cooperation with Commission management, the Inspector General generally promotes economy, efficiency, and the effectiveness of waste or fraud detection and prevention in the Commission's programs and operations. The Inspector General also keeps the Congress and the Commission informed about problems and deficiencies in the Commission's programs and operations.
(c) The Inspector General reports to the Commission, but is independent of all other Commission management. In addition, the Inspector General independently prepares semi-annual reports to the Congress.
(d) With respect to misconduct of Commission employees and contractors, the Inspector General, after consultation with the Ethics Counsel, where appropriate, serves as the Commission's liaison with other federal audit and investigative agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency.
(e) Subpoenas issued in the course of an audit or investigation conducted by the Office of the Inspector General shall be effected by any method prescribed by Sec. 201.232(a) and (c) of this chapter. [60 FR 14625, Mar. 20, 1995, as amended at 77 FR 8095, Feb. 14, 2012]