Michael C. Mikulka, a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), serves as the Acting Deputy Inspector General performing the duties of the Inspector General. In this role, Mr. Mikulka leads a nationwide, independent oversight organization with an annual budget of $97 million comprised of a dedicated team of professionals, including criminal investigators, auditors, attorneys, subject-matter experts, and management professionals. As Acting Deputy Inspector General, Mr. Mikulka oversees more than $69 billion in annual federal funding for essential programs, such as unemployment insurance, worker safety and health, training and reemployment services, pension and health care benefits, wage and hour standards, and economic statistics. He assumed this role in July 2025.
In addition, Mr. Mikulka continues in his role as the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (AIGI) where he is responsible for directing the OIG's nationwide investigative program and providing overall leadership to the Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud. Prior to joining the OIG's executive team as the AIGI in 2021, Mr. Mikulka served as the Special Agent-in-Charge of the OIG's New York Region. In that capacity, Mr. Mikulka oversaw the investigative work of eight offices that cover eight northeastern states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Mr. Mikulka has over 25 years of federal law enforcement experience.
In 1997, Mr. Mikulka began his federal career with the U.S. Customs Service as a U.S. Customs Inspector. In 2002, Mr. Mikulka transferred to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was appointed a U.S. Postal Inspector. In this role, Mr. Mikulka investigated external crimes in Brooklyn, NY.
In 2005, Mr. Mikulka transferred to the DOL-OIG and was assigned as a Special Agent in the Newark, NJ Field Office. For 8 years, Mr. Mikulka conducted large-scale investigations focused on labor racketeering in the construction industry and fraud involving DOL's foreign labor certification programs. During that time, he worked extensively with various federal, state, and local agencies on high profile prosecutions in the District of New Jersey and the Southern District of New York.
In 2013, Mr. Mikulka was promoted to Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the OIG's two New Jersey field offices. In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing all investigations conducted in the state of New Jersey. In 2015, he was promoted to the position of Special Agent-in-Charge of the Division of Investigations and Administration at DOL-OIG headquarters in Washington, D.C. In that capacity, he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the OIG's nationwide investigative program and administrative operations. In 2016, Mr. Mikulka transferred from his headquarters position to the position of Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Region.
Mr. Mikulka is a native of New York City. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from St. John's University. He is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute's "Leadership for a Democratic Society" program.
Mr. Mikulka received recognition throughout his federal career. Formal recognition of his achievements includes the U.S. Customs Service Commissioner's Award, Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Investigator of the Year Award, and numerous Inspector General and Secretary of Labor Special Achievement, Innovation, and Exceptional Achievement awards.