[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 39, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 39CFR230.1]

[Page 34-35]
 
                        TITLE 39--POSTAL SERVICE
 
                 CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
 
PART 230_OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart A_General Policy and Authority
 
Sec.  230.1  Establishment and authority.


    (a) There is established, pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 
1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.3), and 39 U.S.C. 410, an independent 
Office of Inspector General.
    (b) The Inspector General reports directly to the nine 
presidentially appointed Governors and shall not be supervised by, nor 
report to, the Postmaster General and/or any designee appointed by the 
Postmaster General.
    (c) The Office of Inspector General includes an Inspector General, 
an Assistant Inspector General for Audit, and an Assistant Inspector 
General for Investigations. The Office of Inspector General maintains 
its own legal counsel independent of the Postal Service Law Department 
for matters that are within the jurisdiction of the Office.
    (d) The Office of Inspector General is responsible for detecting and 
preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in the programs and operations of the 
Postal Service, and for reviewing existing and proposed legislation and 
regulations relating to the programs and operations of the Postal 
Service.
    (e) The Inspector General has oversight responsibilities for all 
activities of the Postal Inspection Service. The Chief Postal Inspector 
must promptly

[[Page 35]]

report to the Inspector General significant activities and other 
information related to the Inspection Service as required by law.
    (f) The Inspector General has sole responsibility for directing the 
Office of Inspector General, including the authority to select, appoint, 
and employ such officers and employees that the Inspector General deems 
necessary and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the Office. In 
addition, the Inspector General may delegate to such officers and 
employees of the Inspector General such powers, duties, and 
responsibilities, as the Inspector General deems necessary and 
appropriate for the proper functioning of the Office.
    (g) All employees in the Office of Inspector General shall take and 
subscribe to the oath of office required of all Postal Service employees 
under 39 U.S.C. 1011, and the Inspector General, or designee, is 
authorized to administer such oath and affirmation.
    (h) The Inspector General has the authority to enter into contracts 
or other arrangements with public agencies and with private entities, 
and to make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties 
and responsibilities of the Office of Inspector General.
    (i) The Inspector General may hire and retain the services of expert 
consultants and other personnel as necessary to fulfill the duties and 
responsibilities of the Office.
    (j) Except as required by law, the Governors may not transfer to the 
Inspector General responsibility for performing any of the program 
activities of the Postal Service.