When to Report

The basic rule is that whenever there is reason to believe a federal crime has occurred, the Department of Justice should be advised. There are two subcategories.

One category involves possible crimes which are completed concerning past events and which, although they require prompt investigative and prosecutive attention, are not so urgent, or so sensitive as to suggest accelerated reporting and/or utilization of special law enforcement techniques. This first category of criminal allegations may require further investigation by the Inspector General to confirm, and should be reported whenever there is a reasonable indication, i.e., some evidence, to believe that a federal crime has occurred.

The second category involves possible crimes which are of such an urgent or sensitive nature that upon receipt of the mere allegation, accelerated reporting is required to allow for immediate prosecutive and investigative action. This second category involves allegations such as bribery, conflict of interest, fraud against the government and the like involving federal employees, and, in addition, any criminal conduct of an ongoing nature. Because of the law enforcement sensitivity, this category also includes information pertaining to the element generally known as organized crime. These urgent and sensitive matters necessitate immediate reporting to the Department because the FBI may be called on to employ body recorders, undercover operations, search warrants, Title III and other specialized law enforcement techniques which need FBI expertise and may require Department approval.