SUN: 7 months later, Baltimore County still has no IG and still no public reports

BALTIMORE COUNTY (WBFF) — Seven months after Baltimore County lost its inspector general, the government office responsible for rooting out fraud, waste and abuse still has no permanent leader, has not released a public investigative report this year and is being managed by an official hired little more than three months ago.

Now, the Baltimore County Council is moving to clarify who has the power to issue the watchdog’s reports while the top job remains vacant.

Legislation introduced this week by Council Chair Mike Ertel and Councilman David Marks would explicitly define references to the “inspector general” in county law to include the Office of the Inspector General itself. The change would make clear that the office can continue issuing public reports even when no permanent inspector general is in place.

The move is the latest consequence of a tumultuous year for one of Baltimore County government’s primary accountability agencies. Former Inspector General Kelly Madigan resigned in early January after a contentious fight over her future. Her longtime deputy, Steve Quisenberry, ran the office until retiring in early June. And County Executive Kathy Klausmeier has said she does not intend to appoint a permanent successor before leaving office in December.

Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun.