Assistant Inspector General for Investigations

James J. O'Neill
Assistant Inspector General for Investigations

In July 2006, Jim O’Neill was appointed Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (AIGI) after serving nearly 3 years as Deputy AIGI. He is responsible for planning and directing investigations of alleged criminal activities related to VA programs and operations, as well as allegations of non-criminal misconduct committed by senior VA officials. Jim personally led the criminal and administrative investigations of the Montgomery County data loss in May 2006.

From 1999 until 2003, Jim served as the OIG’s Chief Information Officer where he led efforts to modernize the information technology program, which culminated in the successful deployment of the OIG’s first corporate management information system, the Master Case Index.

Prior to joining the OIG in 1999, Mr. O’Neill completed a successful 23 year career with the U.S. Secret Service as Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Training. In 1997, he was appointed as Special Agent in Charge in the Forensic Services Division and led the successful effort to gain the lab’s first accreditation by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors. Since 1988, he held managerial positions in a variety of investigative, protective, and information technology divisions. He served as a Special Agent in the Philadelphia Field Office and the Presidential Protective Division, and as an instructor in the Office of Training.

In 1971, Mr. O’Neill earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to joining the U.S. Secret Service, he was employed as a high school teacher in Philadelphia Public Schools. He is the married father of three and grandfather of five.

In 2008, Jim received a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service.