A federal investigation is an official inquiry conducted by a government agency at the national or federal level. This type of investigation can be carried out by various law enforcement and regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or other departments within the executive branch of government.
The purpose of a federal investigation can vary widely depending on the agency conducting it. For example, an FBI investigation may focus on criminal activity such as fraud, drug trafficking, or terrorism while an IRS investigation could be related to tax evasion or other financial crimes. A SEC investigation might involve securities fraud or insider trading.
During a federal investigation, investigators gather evidence and interview witnesses in order to build a case against individuals or organizations believed to have committed wrongdoing. The results of the investigation may lead to criminal charges being filed, civil penalties being imposed, or regulatory action being taken depending on the nature of the violation uncovered.