EPA Administrator Jackson directs employees to cooperate with investigations by Inspector General
Under the Bush Administration, in June 2008, EPA's Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance had directed all employees to refer any inquiry by the Inspector General's Office and the GAO to a person designated to handle such investigations at the enforcement office. One can speculate as to the reason, but most likely it was to prevent staff from providing adverse information about EPA programs and policies to the IG or GAO.
EPA Administrator Jackson has now e-mailed employees that they are to cooperate with investigations by EPA's Inspector General. Staff does not have to obtain permission to speak to the IG, and managers are not to inquire about such contacts and communications. Further, Jackson noted that materials requested by the IG are to be provided, and that a failure to provide requested materials violates EPA policy and may violate federal law.
One assumes that cooperation applies to inquires from GAO, though the memo specifically states that it does not address dealing with GAO. If staff is to respond to inquires from the press, then it would seem reasonable to assume that GAO inquires will be responded to positively. But, then, this is D.C., and things are not always logical.