A December 14, 2010 report by the Commerce Department Inspector General to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco entitled "General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation Performance Management and Other Issues" found three issues the IG believed important to call to the Administrator's attention:
1. Significant weaknesses in the process for evaluating GCEL enforcement attorney performance.
2. A problematic statement and questionable timing for an award issued to a Northeast Region employee.
3. Safety-related concerns voiced by a Northeast Region senior GCEL attorney.