Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier has selected Khadija Walker, a former federal auditor, as the new inspector general for the county. This decision bypasses Kelly Madigan, who has served as the county’s inaugural inspector general.
Walker was chosen after a final round of interviews that included Madigan and another unnamed candidate. Her previous experience includes serving as deputy assistant inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development and working as an auditor at the Environmental Protection Agency. Baltimore County officials noted that Walker led performance audits of environmental programs, including the EPA’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Irma, and examined federal responsibility in water crises in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi.
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
Klausmeier described Walker as “the most qualified candidate to lead the office.” She added: “Khadija has 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.”
Despite these endorsements, several members of the Baltimore County Council have expressed reservations about replacing Madigan. Councilman David Marks stated he would only support Madigan’s nomination. Councilman Izzy Patoka also indicated his preference for Madigan but said he wanted more information about Walker’s background.
The council must approve any inspector general appointment before it is finalized. The matter is expected to be discussed at a council work session scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Towson. A vote will follow at a future legislative session.
Some residents plan to rally ahead of Tuesday’s meeting to advocate for Madigan’s reappointment and criticize what they describe as Klausmeier’s mishandling of the selection process.
The process began when Klausmeier sent Madigan a letter stating she would conduct an open search but encouraged her to reapply if interested. This move led to public criticism over transparency and concerns about political influence.
Under current county law, the executive appoints an inspector general subject to council confirmation. Klausmeier maintains that this authority allowed her to conduct an open search.
The Association of Inspectors General criticized how Baltimore County handled the search process in an open letter released Monday. The organization argued that launching an open search while inviting Madigan to reapply deviated from established ordinances.
A five-person panel reviewed applications before narrowing down candidates through interviews. Dennis King chaired this panel and supported Klausmeier’s choice.
However, some critics questioned why Klausmeier participated directly in final interviews with candidates—a move they say could present conflicts of interest.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that County Executive Klausmeier refused to reappoint Madigan, a respected leader in our community. This entire process was politicized and lacked transparency, and it has destroyed public trust in the Inspector General’s office” said Joanne Antoine, executive director of advocacy group Common Cause Maryland.
“Baltimore County residents deserve a truly independent watchdog, and this chaotic nomination process cannot be the norm. We need structural reform now to reaffirm the independence of the Inspector General, and we need the County Council to uphold constituents’ desire to keep Madigan in the role.”
Will Fletcher from the Association of Inspectors General wrote that Baltimore County appeared “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.”
In response to these concerns about political influence over future appointments, Patoka introduced legislation earlier this month proposing a charter amendment that would create an independent board responsible for appointing inspectors general going forward.
