The Association of Inspectors General today joined in the widespread disapproval of Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier’s involvement in the selection of a new inspector general.

In a letter released this morning, the AIG, which represents 2,000 local and state corruption watchdogs nationwide, said the selection process set up by Klausmeier was compromised by serious conflicts of interest and failed to follow county law that established the inspector general’s office.

“Inexplicably, the administration has chosen to depart from the ordinance by conflating the two distinct provisions by launching the ‘open search’ provision while at the same time inviting the current inspector general to apply,” AIG President Will Fletcher wrote.

“The AIG believes that Baltimore County’s current search process doesn’t align with the essential principles of independence . . . [T]he citizens of Baltimore County deserve and expect that their government will serve their best interest, and also be transparent and accountable to the public.”

• The Brew broke the story of Madigan’s non-reappointment and has covered the controversy extensively.

The letter comes in the wake of criticism by residents, community leaders, Common Cause Maryland and members of the County Council following  Klausmeier’s decision not to reappoint Inspector General Kelly Madigan to a second term and instead conduct an open search for the position.

As the county’s first inspector general, Madigan has conducted investigations that revealed waste and fraud by officials associated with former County Executive Johnny Olszewski – mostly recently his uncle, Robert Olszewski Sr., accused of working at Olszewski’s campaign office while on county time – as well as Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. and former Councilwoman Cathy Bevins.

Politicizing the Office

Last week, Klausmeier, who became county executive in January after Olszewski was sworn in as a U.S. congressman, stripped the IG selection process away from the five-member panel she had established.

Instead, she appointed herself, attorney Arthur A. Elkins Jr. and Ethics Commission Chair Mandee Heinl to oversee a final round of interviews, including of Madigan.

It was widely rumored over the weekend that Klausmeier would announce her candidate for IG as early as today – and it wouldn’t be Madigan.

Erica Palmisano, Klausmeier’s press secretary, told The Brew that the announcement was at least a week away, and Madigan declined to comment about her interview on Friday with Klausmeier, Elkins and Heinl.

According to the AIG letter, the interview process was an “inherent conflict of interest” because Klausmeier and Heinl – who can be  investigated by the IG office – are vested with the authority to appoint the IG.

The Brew has reported that Elkins was a close colleague of Klausmeier’s chief of staff, Amanda Conn, when they both were employed by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC).

“The Baltimore County administration appears to treat the selection of an inspector general as substantially similar to the appointment of other senior staff who are charged to advance the agenda (including the political agenda) of the County Executive,” AIG President Fletcher noted.

“An inspector general is charged with acting independently of the county executive and, indeed, has the authority to review the actions of the executive. We strongly encourage the county executive to exercise great care and ensure appropriate prophylactic measures are implemented until such time as the issue [of IG independence] can be addressed legislatively.”

Below is the text of the anti-corruption group’s letter to Klausmeier, dated July 5 and released today: