By Ryan Coleman
Special to the AFRO
Inspectors General Are Doing Essential—And Unpopular—Work Baltimore County’s Inspectors General Kelly Madigan’s job was to make the government more honest, more efficient and more accountable, and to detect and deter waste, fraud and abuse in Baltimore County programs. She is an independent official who reports problems to their agency head and County Executive, and releases their reports to the public.
The County Executive did not violate any law by making her apply for her position; a county executive has the legal authority to change inspector generals. But it is unusual for a County Executive to have sole power over an inspector general. It also is uncommon to remove an IG that has won awards and served the residents of Baltimore County honorably
What I do know is that IGs are not the most popular people in government—in any administration. When they do their job right, they are bound to make powerful government officials unhappy.
However, inspectors general are crucial in the battle to keep government officials honest and accountable and to improve government operations. They provide independent oversight of government operations from within county agencies. They help hold government officials and agencies accountable for misconduct. They investigate contractors who defraud government programs. They return millions of dollars to Baltimore County in financial recoveries every year. They make government programs more efficient and effective. They provide transparency on government operations, issuing reports that inform taxpayers how their dollars are being spent. They regularly testify before the county council about agency programs.
To be sure, IGs are not the only watchdogs pursuing government honesty and accountability. The Baltimore County Council, a free press, public-interest groups, and regular elections provide vital controls on government. However, oversight by IGs is one of the key checks and balances on our government. Replacing IG Madigan will weaken Baltimore County and be a great loss to the residents.