Maryland State Wire

Baltimore, MD – Common Cause Maryland has called on Baltimore County’s interim County Executive Katherine Klausmeier to reappoint Inspector General Kelly Madigan for a second term. The request is backed by over 250 residents and six out of seven members of the Baltimore County Council.

Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland, expressed concern over disruptions to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) despite voter approval in 2024 to strengthen it. “It is deeply concerning that, even following voters’ approval on the ballot in 2024 to strengthen the Baltimore County Office of Inspector General (OIG), some local government officials have found yet another way to disrupt the work of the office,” she said.

Antoine emphasized the importance of the OIG in restoring public trust by holding elected officials accountable. She criticized any process allowing increased influence from local officials over the appointment of an inspector general as a conflict of interest. “At a time when trust in our government is at an all-time low, the Office of the Inspector General plays a key role in rebuilding this trust by holding our elected officials accountable and increasing transparency. Reappointing the current Inspector General should be a simple priority to continue this critical work. But instead, the interim County Executive is derailing a standard reappointment to create unnecessary chaos," Antoine stated.

She added that community support for Madigan should guide Klausmeier's decision: “Hundreds of constituents and the majority of the County Council have publicly shared their support for Inspector General Madigan, so the interim County Executive should honor the will of the people."

Antoine has experience with ethics oversight as she previously served on Baltimore County’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Ethics and Accountability. The commission was formed in October 2021 to review and evaluate practices within Baltimore County’s OIG.

Common Cause Maryland also indicated its willingness to back legislation creating an independent advisory board for future inspector general appointments.