the Public Integrity Section assists the Department, the United States Attorneys’ Offices, and the FBI by ensuring that investigative and prosecutorial resources are focused on FECA violations only when appropriate. Accordingly, the Department requires that the Public Integrity Section be consulted before beginning any criminal investigation, including a preliminary investigation, of a matter involving possible violations of FECA. USAM § 9-85.210. This consultation is also required before any investigation of campaign financing activities under one of the Title 18 felony theories discussed above. Id. The Public Integrity Section also recommends that the Section be consulted before commencing an investigation of possible violations of the public funding programs in Title 26. Facts reflecting possible non-criminal FECA violations, should be brought to the attention of the Public Integrity Section, which will forward them to the FEC. (b) Investigative jurisdiction Criminal investigations of possible FECA violations, as well as violations of 26 U.S.C. §§ 9012 and 9042, are conducted by the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies. Civil investigations are conducted by the FEC. The FEC is authorized by statute to conduct a civil inquiry parallel to an active criminal investigation involving the same matter. 52 U.S.C. §§ 30107(a)(9) and (e). Parallel proceedings present unique challenges to federal prosecutors and investigators. In these cases the Public Integrity Section should be consulted to ensure that any procedures or agreements regarding parallel proceedings are followed. 168