Fate Of Controversial Inspector General Nominee Decided

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The Baltimore County Council voted 5-2 Monday to reject the county executive's nominee for inspector general, an independent watchdog who identifies waste and fraud in the government.

The decision came after a contentious debate on whether nominee Khadija Walker could fulfill her duties with a commute that would've been two or three hours one way. WYPR said Walker planned to work in person in Towson, despite living about 110 miles away in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Critics of Walker's nomination called for a second term for Kelly Madigan, the current inspector general who has issued over 50 investigative reports since the position was created in January 2020.

"I received emails and phone calls from Baltimore Countians of all political persuasions, many of who have never contacted our office," Council Member David Marks (R-Upper Falls), who voted against Walker's confirmation, said in a press release. "It's clear this issue struck a nerve and sent a message: Baltimore Countians expect their government to be honest and transparent, and they want an Inspector General empowered to ferret out waste, fraud, and abuse."

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier (D) nominated Walker after a nationwide search for candidates, though Madigan was eligible for another term.

A candidate review panel vetted the 23 applicants for inspector general, interviewed several who were qualified and recommended finalists, including Walker. Walker has over 22 years of experience, including work to hold the federal government accountable in the wake of the Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi water crises.

Klausmeier is finishing off the county executive term of now-Congressman Johnny Olszewski (D-District 2). The County Council appointed her this January on the condition that she must not run for another term, as this would create an unfair incumbency advantage for a candidate who wasn't initially elected by the voters. Klausmeier will be in office through 2026.

"I made it clear during my candidacy for county executive that I would not run for this position in the 2026 election," Klausmeier said in a July letter in support of Walker. "However, that does not mean I can deny my responsibility to make sure that we have the most qualified and competent people serving our residents."

In a Monday press release, Klausmeier said the search was a "public process" that "exceeded legal requirements" and found "the most experienced and qualified candidate." The county executive applauded Walker's "poise and grace during what has become a highly politicized process through no fault of her own."

"Given her extensive experience and professional qualifications, it is disheartening that her appointment wasn't meaningfully considered on the merits of those professional qualifications and experience," Klausmeier said in the release.

Council Member Julian Jones (D-Woodstock) called it "a sad day in Baltimore County history." He said it was the first time the Council had voted down a nominee from the county executive.

"In my 11 years on the Council, we've never rejected a nominee. The Executive selects, and we evaluate qualifications — plain and simple. Unfortunately, some members decided from the start that they wouldn't support her or anyone else, regardless of merit," Jones said on Facebook. "Miss Walker deserved better. She deserved a fair evaluation. And our residents deserved a process based on integrity — not politics."

Madigan will continue serving as inspector general until further notice.

"I intend to leave any future appointment—or reappointment—of an inspector general to the next county executive or until an independent appointment board is established by the county council and voters," Klausmeier said. "This means that the current inspector general will remain in a holdover role as her term expired in January of this year, and will continue in this role until either her successor qualifies or she is reappointed and confirmed. The office will continue its work preventing waste, fraud and abuse in county government without interruption."

Council Member Izzy Patoka (D-Pikesville) and Marks are co-sponsoring legislation that would "introduce a charter amendment to create an independent board to appoint and reappoint the county's inspector general to remove political influence from the process in the future."

"This much-needed measure will ensure a transparent process that is not influenced by politics," Patoka said Monday on Facebook.

Marks is also sponsoring a resolution that would "urge the Maryland General Assembly to extend the Inspector General's jurisdiction to include Baltimore County Public Schools, which receives around half the county budget."

In 2021, the General Assembly considered extending the inspector general's domain to include school system investigations. Opponents, however, blocked the effort, pointing to existing school audits.

"Now it is time to ensure that she has the resources and power to fully carry out her mission," Marks said of Madigan. "A string of controversies, however, shows the need for much stronger scrutiny at the county level. Our children have been impacted by a ransomware attack, bus delays, and numerous other incidents that point to inefficiency in the system."