When dealing with a government inquiry, one of the goals of many internal investigations is persuading the government that the matter was carried out thoroughly and independently so authorities don’t have to repeat an investigation and in turn prolong any disruption and cost to the company. That means ensuring a sound investigation from the outset.
“Losing your objectivity may be the single worst thing you can do,” says Valecia McDowell, a member at Moore & Van Allen. “You could have the government right behind you and reach a completely different conclusion, only because you weren’t objective enough to ask the right questions. And had you asked those questions, you too would have reached a different conclusion.”
