The Association of Inspectors General (AIG), a non-partisan organization representing over 2,500 members dedicated to government oversight, is calling on the Jefferson Parish Council to reject proposed amendments to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) ordinance, which are set to be considered on December 11, 2024.
In a letter to the Jefferson Parish Council on December 5, AIG President Will Fletcher expressed that the suggested changes to the OIG ordinance would permanently weaken Jefferson Parish OIG's ability to keep the public informed, stating, “The proposed amendments threaten to undermine the Jefferson Parish OIG’s ability to maintain its independence and its vital role in effective government oversight. These changes would hinder the OIG’s ability to directly engage with the citizens of Jefferson Parish, impacting transparency and accountability in government operations.”
Among other restrictions, the proposed changes to the OIG's ordinance would prohibit the inspector general from making "public comments" and "public statements" about Jefferson Parish OIG investigations that may result in "public condemnation" of someone who has been the subject of an investigation. The proposed amendments are inconsistent with widely accepted best practices for OIGs, which emphasize transparency, public communication, and the ability to hold government agencies accountable for their actions as supported by the evidence gathered in an investigation. AIG stresses that an OIG’s independence and its direct public engagement with the public are essential to ensuring government accountability and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.
Fletcher added, “Protecting the OIG’s independence and its ability to engage with the public is crucial to preserving public trust, fostering good governance, and upholding accountability in Jefferson Parish.”
AIG urges the Jefferson Parish Council to reject these amendments to ensure the OIG can continue to serve as an effective watchdog for the people of Jefferson Parish.
Read a copy of the letter below
December 5, 2024
Dear Chairman Walker and Council Members:
The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) is a non-partisan, independent 501(c)(3) organization with over 2,500 members serving in hundreds of Inspectors General (IG) offices across the United States and internationally. For nearly 30 years, the AIG has been dedicated to promoting best practices and advancing the mission of independent oversight in government.
The AIG has been closely following recent developments in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana surrounding proposed amendments to the Office of Inspector General ordinance, which we understand are scheduled for consideration by the Jefferson Parish Council on December 11, 2024. In response, we wish to address significant concerns raised by the proposed changes.
The amendments are contrary to the AIG Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General and well-established practices for local, state and federal OIGs. Best practices for OIGs, including those found in Jefferson Parish OIG’s ordinance, establish opportunities for meaningful and transparent communication between the OIG and the public. The proposed amendments, however, would permanently weaken the Jefferson Parish OIG’s ability to fulfill its essential function of keeping the public informed about its work as a government oversight watchdog.
The proposed amendments are substantially similar to the American Bar Association’s guidelines for Prosecution Function, Standard 3-10.10 Relationship with Media, or other similar guidelines for prosecutors to protect individual due process rights in criminal matters. An inspector general’s role is fundamentally different and the enabling legislation of most OIGs expressly provides for public reporting to hold government agencies accountable to the people they serve.
The proposed amendments risk depriving the Jefferson Parish OIG of its well-established ability to maintain its independence in carrying out effective government oversight through direct engagement with the citizens of Jefferson Parish about the work it does to promote efficiency and combat fraud, waste and abuse.
Should the amendments become law, Jefferson Parish would legislate the permanent weakening of an Office of Inspector General with a successful record in promoting efficiency and establishing accountability with Jefferson Parish citizens.
The AIG strongly urges the Jefferson Parish Council to reject these proposed amendments. Protecting the OIG’s independence and the essential function of engagement with the public is vital to preserving public trust, ensuring good governance, and fostering accountability. The enactment of these amendments would ultimately weaken Jefferson Parish’s commitment to be accountable to its citizens through effective oversight—something no democratic society can afford.
Sincerely,
Will Fletcher
President, Association of Inspectors General
