In August 1984, the United States Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between the Departments of Justice and Defense relating to the investigation and prosecution of certain crimes. Special attention is directed to the treatment of investigative jurisdiction of corruption, fraud and theft cases. The prosecutor has the responsibility to

1. 1. concur before Department of Defense can initiate any corruption investigation;
2. 2. confer to determine investigative jurisdiction in all fraud and theft matters; and
3. 3. concur before the Department of Defense initiates any administrative investigation or actions during the pendency of any criminal investigation.

The MOU was developed with the expectation that the more complex cases require the joint efforts of the Departments of Defense and Justice. In this regard a repeated theme of the MOU is the prosecutor's responsibility for coordinating and effectuating the various interests of the United States. The Federal Procurement Fraud Unit, Fraud Section, Criminal Division, of the Department of Justice has developed substantial expertise in these investigations and can assist in structuring and conducting the investigations requiring expertise from the FBI and Department of Defense. Questions concerning the MOU should be directed to the Justice Department's Fraud Section, Criminal Division.

[updated January 2020]