Pentagon memo: two IG’s are paid salaries above legal limits


The watchdog group Empower Oversight is asking federal agencies for documents to explain why two presidential-appointed inspectors general were paid, from 2016 to 2020, about $168,000 more than the law allows.

The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s Integrity Committee (“CIGIE-IC”) has allegedly refused to open an investigation into the excess payments.

That’s according to a Department of Defense memorandum (“DOD memo”), confidential sources, and a whistleblower disclosure to Empower Oversight.  

The January 25, 2022, DOD memo describes alleged overpayments to the Inspectors General of the National Security Agency (“NSA-IG”) and the National Reconnaissance Office (“NRO-IG”).

The NSA-IG is President Biden’s nominee to be the DOD Inspector General and is also currently the Vice Chair of the CIGIE-IC.

The DOD memo, provided to Empower Oversight by an anonymous whistleblower, recommends “corrective action[s]” in connection with the alleged overpayments and, more generally, that the agencies “review their personnel policies for compliance with applicable law and adjust as necessary.”  

It is unclear whether any actions to recover the overpayments have been taken.

“Inspector General offices must be held to the highest standards of integrity. Independent watchdogs cannot abuse the public’s trust and expect to escape the same measure of accountability they are charged with enforcing on others in government.  The Integrity Committee is supposed to police the inspectors general, but if it cannot explain why it took no action on these allegations that would raise serious questions about whether it is capable of living up to its mission and the ideal expressed in its name.”

Jason Foster, Founder and President of Empower Oversight

Empower Oversight has filed Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests with five federal agencies—DOD, the DOD-IGCIGIENSA, and NRO—seeking documents related to the alleged salary overpayments.  

Empower Oversight Whistleblowers & Research (EMPOWR) describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to enhancing independent oversight of government and corporate wrongdoing. 


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3 thoughts on “Pentagon memo: two IG’s are paid salaries above legal limits”

  1. Sharyl Attkisson, I rely on you to follow your journalistic credo: “Follow the money!” Once again, you deliver the goods. This story is more important than many folks might presume. In accord with timeless wisdom, “money is the root of all evil” may be more accurately stated as, The worship and attachment to money above ethical integrity, and genuine service to others is the road to corruption and the demise of civilization.

  2. What will it take?? What will it take for the great many masses of people to become awake?? OK, another ‘Watchdog Goup!!’ (sp.) Perhaps a greater focus on the issues of greater impact and importance to the children and grandchildren?? Maybe ‘Opening Day’ at the Ballparks needs and desreves far less focus? To say exercise is unimportant, is not the message here. Being a great fan does not automatically mean one is, was, or will ever be in good physical condition. Also, to say it’s totally the fault of the party from the left, or conversely to say it is entirely because of that other side is adding up to nonsensical escapism. It appeared that the role of the IG’ s was to “Keep a watchful eye” on their assigned agencies. Really?? Whew. No worries, eh? Read the handwriting all over the walls. Even ‘Bread and Circuses’ alone are approacing annihiltioin.
    Think About It, Please After more than a quarter of a century attempting to get people to simply just ‘Wake Up!’ – this commenter has become weary. May you: ‘Have an Awakening Day – today!’

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