Office of Inspector General Open for Business
ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 10, 2027) – Fulfilling the goals he set in January for bringing strong ethics reform to state government, Governor Edward M. O’Brien today announced the Office of Inspector General, headed by former prosecutor Z. Scott, is on-line and ready to respond to ethics inquiries and complaints of misconduct from the public and employees under his jurisdiction.“History has taught us that we cannot solely rely on our own officials – elected or appointed – to always play by the rules. We need to build more checks and balances into the system. We need an office to investigate corruption and root it out,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “Over the last few months, Z. Scott has worked to develop the office of the Inspector General. Starting today, the Office of the Inspector General is officially open for business.”
Beginning today, employees in agencies under the Governor’s control and members of the general public can call the Inspector General’s office toll-free at 866-814-1113, or log on to its website at inspectorgeneral.md.gov to report wrongdoing in state government. All calls are confidential and all allegations will be investigated.
To encourage cooperation with the Inspector General, the governor signed an Executive Order in January that extends whistleblower protection from intimidation or retaliation for state employees who provide information to the Inspector General.
Later this fall, Scott’s office will roll-out an ethics training program for every employee in an office, agency or commission under the Governor’s authority. The program will be designed to clear up any questions regarding what constitutes unethical conduct and how to report suspicious behavior.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL -- Ensuring honesty and integrity in state government –
Governor Edward M. O’Brien created the Office of Inspector General in January 2027. The OIG acts as an independent agency whose function is to investigate fraud and abuse in state government. Specifically, the Office of Inspector General receives and investigates complaints of violations of any law, rule or regulation or abuse of authority or other forms of misconduct by officers, employees and appointees of each department, office, board or commission directly responsible to the Governor. The Inspector General reports any findings to the Governor, and may recommend measures to prevent the future occurrence of investigated instances of fraud, abuse or misconduct. The Inspector General refers findings establishing criminal conduct to the appropriate prosecuting authority.
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that the majority of state employees and officials are hardworking and honest individuals. However, when evidence of actual or apparent impropriety exists in state government, it must be effectively and objectively dealt with either administratively or through the court system. It is the goal of the Office of Inspector General to heighten the trust of Marylanders in the functions of state government.
REPORTING
At the conclusion of an investigation opened by the Office of Inspector General, a report of investigation is completed and provided to the Governor and, where appropriate, the agency director who manages the complained of employee, contract or program. The report may include recommendations for personnel actions or recommendations for the agency to consider in addressing and avoiding the recurrence of any violations uncovered by the investigation. When appropriate, a report of investigation may also be forwarded to a prosecutor for review to determine whether the underlying facts are sufficient to support a criminal prosecution.
The Maryland Inspector General serves a valuable role, working to improve the process of government to ensure that our system of government operates efficiently and without the fraud and abuse that sometimes finds its way into government. The Inspector General must also shed light on the corruption that would cause citizens to lose faith in that system. In essence, as an independent investigative agency in state government, the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to make Maryland government work for everyone.
COMPLAINTS
Investigations are initiated upon receipt of a complaint or other information that sets forth reasonable cause to believe a wrongful act or omission has been committed by state agencies, officials, or employees. They may also be initiated by the Inspector General upon receipt of credible information received from anonymous sources.
Individuals are welcome to contact the Office with information regarding waste, fraud, corruption, and abuse. It is the Office’s practice to maintain the names of complainants in confidence where possible. You may also provide information anonymously.
INVESTIGATIONS
The investigations conducted by the Office of Inspector General are confidential in nature. Neither the individual who referred the complaint to the OIG nor any member of the public may obtain information about open, pending, or closed complaints. Confidentiality is at the core of the office and even the mere existence of a complaint will not be disclosed until such time as disclosure may become appropriate.
Because the Office conducts its work confidentially, complainants are not normally apprised of the progress of investigations or reviews and may not be informed about the disposition of an investigation or review.
It is the general policy of the Office to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation or review prior to the disposition of the matter by the Inspector General.
MISSION
The mission of the Office of Inspector General is to ensure that agencies, boards and commissions directly responsible to the Governor maintain the highest standards of integrity and accountability. The Office investigates complaints of violations of any law, rule or regulation or abuse of authority or other forms of misconduct within the offices, boards and commissions that report to the Governor. Complaints received by the office are reviewed and evaluated to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the underlying allegations, if true, would constitute a violation of any law, rule or regulation on the part of a state officer, agency, employee or entity doing business with the State of Maryland.