Inspector General
In voting for Question B, Baltimore County citizens will get to decide if the County Charter should be amended to permanently include the Office of the Inspector General as a County agency, which will help to ensure the Office remains independent and insulated from political influence in the years to come. Read the press release to learn more.
The OIG's responsibilities and jurisdiction include:
- Identifying fraud, waste and abuse by responding to complaints/tips, conducting investigations and issuing reports of its findings to the County Executive, as well as the County Council when applicable.
- Promoting efficiency, accountability and integrity in Baltimore County government.
- Previously served as the Executive Director of the Baltimore County Ethics Commission. This has moved to the Office of Law. Contact the Commission by calling 410-887-5904 or emailing ethicscommission@baltimorecountymd.gov.
News
Read the below press releases regarding the contemplated amendments to Bills 83-23 and 83-24 from the following organizations:
- Association of Inspectors General
- Baltimore County Office of the Inspector General
- Baltimore County Progressive Democrats Club
- Baltimore County Young Democrats
- Common Cause
- League of Women Voters of Baltimore County
- Randallstown National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- Rosedale Community Association
REPORT FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE
Anyone with information about fraud, waste and abuse concerning Baltimore County government employees, resources, operations or vendors should report it to the OIG.
SCHEDULE AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT
To discuss a matter in person, contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Learn About The Office
Learn more about the OIG's policies and procedures
Read the Executive Order on employees' affirmative duty to report fraud, waste or abuse to the Office of the Inspector General.
Baltimore County employees are required to cooperate fully with any OIG investigation, as stated in Baltimore County Code Section 3-14-107(b). Cooperation includes being fully candid and forthcoming when interviewed and providing any requested records in the employee's possession or to which they have access. Baltimore County Code Section 3-14-107(a) gives the Office the following authorities:
- The right to obtain full and unrestricted access to all records, information, data, reports, plans, projections, matters, contracts, memoranda, correspondence, and any other materials, including electronic data, of the County government
- The authority to administer oaths or affirmations and take testimony relevant to any inquiry or investigation undertaken pursuant to this title
- The right of access to the head of any public entity, when necessary for purposes related to the work of the Office
- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the power to require County employees to cooperate with the Office's investigations regarding fraud, waste, corruption, illegal acts and abuse
Employees are obligated to provide the most accurate and complete information possible. To prevent even the appearance that they are withholding pertinent information, employees should avoid narrowly construing interview questions or record requests and promptly provide requested records. Even when only a general question or issue is posed, the employee should still respond with specific information they recognize as being potentially relevant.
IN ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATIONS
For an administrative case, an employee who is in a union may request that their union representative accompany them to an OIG interview. While the representative is permitted to be present for the interview, they are not permitted to ask or answer questions on behalf of the employee. An employee may also retain a private attorney, at their own personal expense, to represent them during an OIG interview. An attorney from the Office of Law cannot represent an employee during an OIG interview as the Office of Law represents County agencies and not individual employees.
IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
For a case in which an employee has potential criminal exposure, the employee may assert their Fifth Amendment right to refuse to provide information on the grounds that the information might be used against them in a criminal proceeding. Under this circumstance, the OIG could still compel the employee to answer questions as a condition of their employment with Baltimore County, however, the employee’s statements would not be admissible as evidence at a subsequent criminal trial.
ABOUT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
Kelly Madigan has served as the Inspector General for Baltimore County since the inception of the office in January 2020.
A native of California, Kelly attended the University of Michigan and received her B.A. in History before moving to Maryland and attending the University of Baltimore School of Law where she graduated magna cum laude, was a member of the Heuisler Honor Society and was the recipient of the Law Faculty Award upon graduation.
Prior to being appointed Inspector General, Kelly was a career prosecutor. She was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for over 11 years trying homicide, complex wiretap and other general felony cases. She also served as a supervisor for the Misdemeanor Trial Unit where she mentored young attorneys honing their trial skills. After leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City, she became an Assistant State Prosecutor trying political corruption cases where she remained for four years, rising to become both the Deputy State Prosecutor, then Acting State Prosecutor.
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