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Watchdog Alleges ‘Turf Battles’ Over Pandemic Oversight
The pandemic inspector general asked the Justice Department for a legal opinion after getting “resistance” from other agencies.
A recent Justice Department legal opinion narrowed the scope of the pandemic inspector general’s jurisdiction, which he said will impede oversight of trillions of dollars in coronavirus relief programs.
The Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, established in the CARES Act passed in March 2020, published its quarterly report on Friday evening, which includes a “special update” from IG Brian Miller. The office is one of several IG offices for the Treasury Department.
Pandemic Inspector General Warns of Oversight Breakdown
An internal dispute at the Treasury Department shows the challenge of tracking trillions of dollars of economic relief money.
Brian D. Miller, the special inspector general for pandemic recovery, at his confirmation hearing last May.Credit.Pool photo by Salwan Georges
May 1, 2021, 12:12 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON A breakdown in the oversight of trillions of dollars of economic relief money spilled into public view on Friday night when the Treasury Department’s special inspector general for pandemic recovery said in a report that his powers to scrutinize funds had been curtailed this week after a decision by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel.