Baltimore’s corruption watchdog receives high marks
The Association of Inspectors General reviewed the recent work of the Baltimore Office of the Inspector General and found that it “met all relevant standards”
Above: In City Hall, the Office of the Inspector General, Baltimore’s watchdog for government waste, fraud and abuse. (Mark Reutter)
Some good news out of City Hall: Baltimore’s Office of the Inspector General – charged with investigating waste, fraud and abuse in city government – just passed a national peer review with flying colors.
The Association of Inspectors General (AIG), the professional organization for the watchdog agencies operating in U.S. states and cities, reviewed the OIG ‘s investigations conducted from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021.
The team found no instances of failure to meet the standards outlined in the organization’s Principals and Standards for Offices of Inspector General (aka, Green Book).
“There are no limits or qualifications on our opinion,” said the review committee’s chair in a statement released as part of its report.
“This affirms the citizens’ belief in the value of a strong OIG in Baltimore” – IG Isabel Mercedes Cumming.
“It is the unanimous conclusion of the team that the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General met all relevant AIG standards for the period,” said team leader Flora Miller, regional investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Inspector General.
“The report confirmed that the OIG has applied the proper standards and done so correctly over that time period,” Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming said in a statement requested by The Brew.
“As the IG, I am incredibly grateful to the OIG team,” said Cumming, who asked the national association to conduct the review. “This affirms the citizens’ belief in the value of a strong OIG in Baltimore.”
Cumming noted that this was the first peer review ever done of the office, which has been in existence since 2006.