The Department of Justice has created a whistleblower ombudsperson position within its Office of the Inspector General, "which we understand is one of the first such positions in the federal government," according to Michael Horowitz, who was sworn in as Inspector General April 16.

Horowitz has hired an experienced federal prosecutor as Counselor to the Inspector General to help lead the new effort. "Whistleblowers play a critical role in uncovering waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement," he said. "[T]his new position will enable the OIG to continue its leadership as a strong and independent voice within the Department of Justice on whistleblower issues."

The OIG whistleblower ombudsperson will focus on training and educating employees within the Justice Department about the role and importance of whistleblowers in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department's operations, as well as their legal rights and protections against retaliation. The OIG whistleblower ombudsperson also will be responsible for alerting Justice Department officials and managers to the possible repercussions of retaliation against those who make protected disclosures.

In addition, the OIG whistleblower ombudsperson will:

Ensure that whistleblower complaints are reviewed and addressed by the OIG in a prompt and thorough manner;

Communicate with whistleblowers about the status and resolution by the OIG of those complaints;

Monitor investigations of retaliation claims that are within the jurisdiction of the OIG; and

Serve as the OIG liaison to other U.S. agencies with whistleblower responsibilities, such as the Office of Special Counsel and to nongovernmental whistleblower organizations and advocacy groups.

Horowitz noted that members of Congress and private sector organizations have recognized the important role that an ombudsperson can play in dealing with whistleblower issues. "The creation of an ombudsperson position is being recognized as a best practice in this area, and I want the OIG to be at the forefront on these important matters."