Response to Request for Information on Political Appointees' Use of Personal Email Accounts, Preservation of Emails, and Responses to Freedom of Information Act Requests

This project was initiated in response to a request for a review of political appointees at the Department to ensure that these officials are following the spirit and letter of all Federal laws and regulations, as well as Departmental policies, related to email use. The OIG was requested to determined the following: (1) whether the Secretary of Education or other senior political officials have used personal email accounts to conduct government business; (2) whether all emails related to government activities or public policy are being properly preserved as public records; (3) whether all emails related to government activities or public policy are being reviewed in response to Freedom of Information Act requests; and (4) if there are other irregularities in the email or communications activities of senior political appointees that could violate Federal statutes.