Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Governor O’Brien Appoints Federal Prosecutor to Serve as Maryland’s First Inspector General
"Z" Scott to lead Governor’s efforts to investigate complaints of corruption in State government
"Z" Scott to lead Governor’s efforts to investigate complaints of corruption in State government
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 20, 2027) – Following through on his commitment to bring fundamental change to state government, Governor Edward M. O’Brien announced today the appointment of an experienced federal prosecutor to lead his administration’s efforts to ensure that employees under his jurisdiction abide by high ethical standards.
Governor O’Brien named Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) L. Scott as his choice to become Inspector General, a position that the Governor created by executive order early in his administration. The creation of the post is one in a series of measures the Governor has taken to institute key reforms and to signal that potential acts of public corruption will not be tolerated by his administration.
“The establishment of an independent Inspector General’s office is intended to make it clear that we are changing a culture of corruption that for far too long was allowed to permeate state government,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “The people Maryland demand and deserve a new era of integrity, openness and accountability, and ‘Z’ Scott will help my administration fulfill that important goal.”
Scott will be designated to carry out investigations of potential acts of public corruption or misconduct allegedly committed by any employee of the Governor’s office or other parts of the government-- including agencies, departments, or boards and commissions-- that are directly responsible to the Governor.
To ensure the greatest degree of independence, the Inspector General will have direct access to the Governor and regularly report to him on pending or recently launched investigations. At the conclusion of each investigation launched by her office, the Inspector General will issue a summary report to be delivered within six months to the Governor and—if applicable—to the head of any agency where the acts were found to have occurred.
The executive order that created the Inspector General’s position also empowers members of the general public to play a role in reporting and uncovering any instances that they witness of unethical behavior. The Inspector General’s office will establish and maintain a “Citizens Ethics Hotline,” a toll-free phone number that any Maryland resident or employee of state government can call to anonymously and confidentially report instances of public corruption.
To encourage cooperation with the Inspector General, the Governor’s executive order also includes a whistleblower protection provision. Disciplinary action will be taken against any state employee who seeks to intimidate any individual who provides information to the Inspector General.
The Governor cited Scott’s work as a federal prosecutor, and her senior leadership role within that field, as a key factor in her appointment.
Scott has served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland since 2011. For the past six and a half years, she has served as chief of the general crimes section of the office. In that role, she oversees the work of approximately 30 attorneys and reviews all prosecutorial decisions made by lawyers assigned to the division.
“I am confident that Ms. Scott’s extensive credentials prosecuting criminal activity-- as well as her experience demanding high quality work from lawyers under her supervision-- will translate into real results for the people of Maryland,” Governor O’Brien said. “She shares my belief that we should not yield in our efforts to root out corruption. Ms. Scott understands, as I do, that now is the time for all state employees to be put on notice that their job is to serve the public interest— rather than their own self-interest.”
For the past decade, Ms. Scott has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, teaching classes in trial practice.
Her professional affiliations include leadership roles within the Black Women Lawyer’s Association of Greater Baltimore, Inc.; the Maryland State Bar Association’s minority and women participation committee; and, on multiple occasions, serving as a lecturer during conferences on violent crimes organized by the U.S. Department of Justice. Ms. Scott was the recipient of the DOJ’s Executive Office Superior Performance Award and Special Achievement Awards, and was named Outstanding Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy at the University of Maryland School of Law.
"I am honored to have been selected by the Governor to serve the people of the State of Maryland. I look forward to being part of an effort to bring positive change to State government," Ms. Scott said.
Ms. Scott resides in Baltimore with her husband and two children.
Governor O’Brien named Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) L. Scott as his choice to become Inspector General, a position that the Governor created by executive order early in his administration. The creation of the post is one in a series of measures the Governor has taken to institute key reforms and to signal that potential acts of public corruption will not be tolerated by his administration.
“The establishment of an independent Inspector General’s office is intended to make it clear that we are changing a culture of corruption that for far too long was allowed to permeate state government,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “The people Maryland demand and deserve a new era of integrity, openness and accountability, and ‘Z’ Scott will help my administration fulfill that important goal.”
Scott will be designated to carry out investigations of potential acts of public corruption or misconduct allegedly committed by any employee of the Governor’s office or other parts of the government-- including agencies, departments, or boards and commissions-- that are directly responsible to the Governor.
To ensure the greatest degree of independence, the Inspector General will have direct access to the Governor and regularly report to him on pending or recently launched investigations. At the conclusion of each investigation launched by her office, the Inspector General will issue a summary report to be delivered within six months to the Governor and—if applicable—to the head of any agency where the acts were found to have occurred.
The executive order that created the Inspector General’s position also empowers members of the general public to play a role in reporting and uncovering any instances that they witness of unethical behavior. The Inspector General’s office will establish and maintain a “Citizens Ethics Hotline,” a toll-free phone number that any Maryland resident or employee of state government can call to anonymously and confidentially report instances of public corruption.
To encourage cooperation with the Inspector General, the Governor’s executive order also includes a whistleblower protection provision. Disciplinary action will be taken against any state employee who seeks to intimidate any individual who provides information to the Inspector General.
The Governor cited Scott’s work as a federal prosecutor, and her senior leadership role within that field, as a key factor in her appointment.
Scott has served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland since 2011. For the past six and a half years, she has served as chief of the general crimes section of the office. In that role, she oversees the work of approximately 30 attorneys and reviews all prosecutorial decisions made by lawyers assigned to the division.
“I am confident that Ms. Scott’s extensive credentials prosecuting criminal activity-- as well as her experience demanding high quality work from lawyers under her supervision-- will translate into real results for the people of Maryland,” Governor O’Brien said. “She shares my belief that we should not yield in our efforts to root out corruption. Ms. Scott understands, as I do, that now is the time for all state employees to be put on notice that their job is to serve the public interest— rather than their own self-interest.”
For the past decade, Ms. Scott has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, teaching classes in trial practice.
Her professional affiliations include leadership roles within the Black Women Lawyer’s Association of Greater Baltimore, Inc.; the Maryland State Bar Association’s minority and women participation committee; and, on multiple occasions, serving as a lecturer during conferences on violent crimes organized by the U.S. Department of Justice. Ms. Scott was the recipient of the DOJ’s Executive Office Superior Performance Award and Special Achievement Awards, and was named Outstanding Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy at the University of Maryland School of Law.
"I am honored to have been selected by the Governor to serve the people of the State of Maryland. I look forward to being part of an effort to bring positive change to State government," Ms. Scott said.
Ms. Scott resides in Baltimore with her husband and two children.