Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier has announced Khadija E. Walker as her pick for Baltimore County Inspector General, rejecting incumbent IG Kelly Madigan, whose non-reappointment to a second term has caused considerable public blowback.

“Khadija has more than 22 years of high-level inspector general experience – notably in her work to hold the federal government accountable in the wake of the Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, water crises – which has prepared her to be a champion for communities and unafraid to challenge waste, fraud and abuse at any level.

“Through our selection process, it became apparent that she is the most qualified candidate to further advance the office and continue to preserve integrity and transparency in Baltimore County government,” Klausmeier said in a written statement this afternoon.

Walker is a refugee from the Trump administration’s disassembling of the United States Agency for International Development earlier this year.

She was USAID’s deputy assistant inspector general for audits, inspections and evaluations, according to a LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, she spent over 20 years in the OIG office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

At EPA, she helped lead or conduct performance audits of drinking water, grants and contracts, Superfund spending, and clean buses. Walker led audit teams that produced over 60 reports, including on EPA’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Irma in Puerto Rico. She also conducted reviews and supported congressional testimony about tainted drinking water in Flint and Jackson.

While at EPA she worked under Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins Jr., now a Washington attorney, who was one of two persons who joined Klausmeier last week in the final round of interviews of inspector general candidates.

Elkins was also a close colleague of Amanda Conn, Klausmeier’s chief of staff, when the two worked (as inspector general and general counsel, respectively) at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC).

“Baltimore County residents deserve an independent inspector general to elevate the work of this office and put an end to waste, fraud, and abuse in our local government,” Walker is quoted as saying in today’s announcement.

“I am confident that my federal experience will help this office continue to eliminate corruption and enhance public trust and accountability on behalf of all residents,” she added.

While at EPA, Walker worked under Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins Jr., who was one of two persons who joined Klausmeier last week in the final round of interviews of inspector general finalists.

Awarded the EPA Gold Medal for completing valuable and impactful work on congressional earmarks, Walker also received awards for excellence from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (2009, 2019), Chatham University Distinguished Alumnae Cornerstone Award for Environment (2020), EPA OIG Silver Medal for Superior Service (2022), EPA OIG Creativity and Innovation Award (2022) and EPA OIG Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Award (2022, 2023).

“Upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in Baltimore County government is a top priority for County Executive Klausmeier, which is why she ensured a full recruitment process and established a selection panel following the completion of the current inspector general’s first term,” the announcement from Klausmeier’s office said.

Walker must be approved by the seven-member Baltimore County Council, in which at least four members have said they will only support Madigan.

Madigan is currently in a “holdover” position after Klausmeier said she would not reappoint her to a second term.

• For The Brew’s full coverage since breaking the story of Madigan’s non-reappointment, see here.