We Can’t Wait to See You in San Diego!

We are so excited to see you at the 2025 AIG Annual Training Conference in San Diego! We have an international audience of over 300 attendees representing 23 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands. Our team has been hard at work preparing an exceptional program — and we’re pleased to confirm that the conference will proceed as planned.

We understand that the ongoing federal government shutdown and related air travel issues may create uncertainty or travel delays for some attendees. While we recognize these challenges, we encourage all participants to stay in close contact with their airlines and travel providers as you make your way to San Diego.

Please download and review the 2025 Conference Know Before You Go guide prior to your arrival at the conference. This guide includes the following helpful information:

We will send additional information in the coming days, including session descriptions and an attendee directory.

Click here or the button below to download your Know Before You Go guide!

Click here to download the current agenda.

We can't wait to see you in San Diego!

We’re Live: Welcome to our New Website!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website, created to support our mission of advancing independent oversight and empowering the inspector general community.

What’s New

Our goal was to bring “information at your fingertips” — and we believe this new site delivers:

Why It Matters

In today’s evolving governance and accountability environment, timely access to information and tools is critical. Our new site underscores AIG’s commitment to:

Highlights to Explore

When you visit the new site, be sure to check out:

Thank‑You

Thank you to our dedicated staff, the website redesign team, and the AIG Board and chapter leaders for their input, patience and support in bringing this project to fruition. Your insights ensured that the new platform is aligned with our strategic direction and the needs of our community.

We invite you to explore the site today at inspectorsgeneral.org and let us know what you think! Feedback is greatly welcome as we continue to improve the experience.

Thank you for being part of AIG. Here’s to a stronger, more connected oversight community.

AIG Raises Significant Concerns Over CIGIE Defunding

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) has significant concerns about the Administration’s move to defund the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) by withholding appropriated funds.

Offices of Inspectors General (OIGs) are nonpartisan watchdogs that save taxpayer dollars and drive efficiency and effectiveness in government by identifying waste, fraud and abuse across all levels of government. Defunding the organization that supports and scrutinizes federal OIGs undermines ongoing government oversight efforts and puts at risk the taxpayer dollars and public service integrity these watchdogs are entrusted to protect.

CIGIE fulfills several functions mandated by Congress that defunding would terminate, including providing trainings and professional development for thousands of federal OIG employees, maintaining quality standards and managing federal OIG peer reviews, and providing hotline and whistleblower reporting capabilities that enable taxpayers to submit allegations of waste, fraud and abuse.

It is imperative that the critical statutory functions of CIGIE continue. The defunding of CIGIE leaves a void in oversight that should concern all taxpayers.

Click Here to Download the Statement

About the Association of Inspectors General

The nonprofit and nonpartisan Association of Inspectors General (AIG) supports independent offices of inspector general in their fight to combat government waste, fraud and abuse—and protect taxpayers’ investment in government. AIG represents more than 2,500 members working in oversight roles in state and local municipalities throughout the United States and internationally.

Candidates for the 2025 AIG Board of Directors Election

The Association's Board Nominations Committee has certified 9 candidates for the 2025 Board of Directors election. There are 2 positions available. The election will be held in electronic format beginning Tuesday, September 23, through Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.

To be eligible to vote, you must be a current National member of the Association for 2025-26 and have been a National member in 2024-25. Eligible voters will receive an electronic ballot today.

Board member terms are staggered through a 3-year cycle. Therefore, only current board members whose terms are set to expire on January 1, 2026 and who are seeking reelection will have their names appear on the ballot.

Please see below for a list of candidates. Click here to download a copy of all candidate biographical sketches.

 Steven D. Anderson

Glenda Arrington

Will Fletcher

David T. Harper

Kelly Madigan

Michael Meaney

Mandi Mitchell

Marie Perikles

Amie Young

 

Thank you, Columbus Institute Attendees and Instructors!

Thank you to all of the participants, instructors and staff who attended the Inspector General Institute in Columbus, Ohio!

Now Accepting Nominations for our 2025 Board of Directors Election

AIG Board of Directors Secretary Lora Manon announced today that TWO (2) vacancies will exist for the Board of Directors as of December 31, 2025.  These vacancies have been declared in accordance with the Association’s Bylaws and constitution. Please click here to read the letter from the AIG Board Secretary and instructions on submitting a nomination.

Click here for the 2025 Nominations Form.

Nominations must be received by September 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST. 

All members eligible to vote will receive an electronic ballot after the meeting of the Nominating Committee, which will occur in September 2025. Ballots will be sent to ONLY those individuals who were members with dues paid for this current membership year (2025/2026) and the membership year immediately preceding this election (2024/2025).

Nominations may be submitted beginning on August 12, 2025 electronically at election@inspectorsgeneral.org.  Please direct all questions to Board Secretary Lora Manon at Lora.manon1@gmail.com

Ensuring Independence: AIG Issues Open Letter on Baltimore County Inspector General Selection

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) has issued the following open letter to Baltimore County leadership in response to ongoing concerns about the County’s process for appointing—or reappointing—its Inspector General.

As the national standard-bearer for integrity and professionalism in the inspector general community, the AIG is deeply concerned that the current process undermines essential principles of independence, transparency, and accountability.

This letter outlines specific concerns about compliance with County law, the presence of conflicts of interest, and the broader implications for public trust. We urge Baltimore County to take corrective action to restore confidence in this critical oversight function.

Below is a full text copy of the letter that was issued on July 21, 2025. Click here to download a copy.

OPEN LETTER TO BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNTY COUNCIL

The Honorable Katherine A. Klausmeier, County Executive

The Honorable Pat Young, Council District 1

The Honorable Izzy Patoka, Council District 2

The Honorable Wade Kach, Council District 3

The Honorable Julian E. Jones, Jr, Council Chairman & Council District 4

The Honorable David Marks, Council District 5

The Honorable Mike Ertel, Council District 6

The Honorable Todd K. Crandell, Council District 7

400 Washington Avenue

Towson, MD 21204

 

Re: Inspector General Appointment and Process

 

Honorable County Executive Klausmeier and Council Members:

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG), is an independent, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization representing thousands of members working in hundreds of Inspectors General offices across the United States and internationally. The AIG promulgates the Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General, known as the Green Book; that is widely considered to be the gold standard for state and local government Offices of Inspector General. At its core, the AIG’s mission is to support the development of independent Offices of Inspector General (OIG).  

The AIG has been monitoring Baltimore County’s efforts to appoint, or reappoint, an Inspector General, and is deeply concerned that the current effort is irreparably damaged.  The procedures that govern the appointment of an Inspector General, including the foundational law and the processes employed, is itself an essential element of the independence required for effective government oversight. The selection of an Inspector General under this current process would not, and should not, garner the trust of the public.  

The Association of Inspectors General strongly recommends that the law and processes be re-evaluated and that Baltimore County government proceed with careful deliberation and caution.

The AIG wrote to Baltimore County on July 05, 2021, concerning potentially damaging legislation. Fortunately, the County abandoned that effort and adopted several ordinance amendments over the following years that have advanced the OIG’s independence. There remains work to be done. We would like to address several issues that stand out as contrary to the well-established Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General.

  1. Failure to conform with Baltimore County Ordinance 3-14-103. Inspector General (“Ordinance 3-14-103 on Inspector General Selection”)

Current law is very clear that the Inspector General is “appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council.” See 3-14-103(a)(1). Further, the law addresses the process for the reappointment of an Inspector General to a second term directing that they “shall be subject to appointment for a second term in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this Section”. See 3-14-103(b)(1).  Simply put, the Administration either submits the existing Inspector General’s name for reappointment to the County Council for confirmation or they decline to do so and conduct an “open search”, designed to recruit new candidates under 3-14-103(a)(2).

Inexplicably, the Administration has chosen to depart from the Ordinance by conflate the two distinct provisions by launching the “open search” provision while at the same time inviting the current Inspector General to apply.  The public record is replete with reporting that indicates there is dissension on this issue among the Baltimore County Executive Klausmeier, the nominating authority, and a significant portion of the Council, the confirming authority. The process of selecting an independent Inspector General must be lawful and the actions the County Administration has pursued thus far appears to depart from the process set forth in law.   

  1. Conflicts of Interest

An inherent conflict of interest exists where any person who can be investigated by the OIG is also vested with decision-making authority in selecting or reappointing the Inspector General. But that’s what appears to be happening in Baltimore County where the County Executive nominates Inspector General candidates.The AIG believes that Baltimore County’s current search process for an Inspector General doesn't align with the essential principles of independence. We urge County lawmakers to fix this problem quickly so that the OIG can be truly independent, and the public can have faith in the process of selecting an Inspector General.

In June 2025, an IG Selection Panel (IGSP) was created consisting of five individuals that were not affiliated with the County. However, four of the five members were named by County leadership. Further, in July 2025 the three finalists for the position participated in a final interview panel including County Executive Klausmeier, Panel member Arthur Elkins and Baltimore County Ethics Commission member Mandee Heinl. The AIG again notes the inherent conflict of interest with the County Executive, but also Ethics Commissioner Heinl who was appointed by the County Executive.

The AIG observes that 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. Conversely, 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 can be addressed legislatively.   

The AIG knows from decades of experience that these issues are not unique to Baltimore County, but have manifested in various forms throughout the country wherever Inspectors General exist.

Like those in any democratic society, the 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 County must ensure it always acts to support and enhance the independence of the OIG and recommends the County Executive and Council take expedient action, consistent with the AIG’s recommendations.

The AIG possesses the experience and expertise in navigating these complex issues and, as a non-partisan and not-for-profit organization, stands ready to assist or provide a more detailed analysis.

Sincerely,

Will Fletcher

President, Association of Inspectors General

AIG Board Adopts Two New Position Papers on IG Independence

The Board of Directors of the Association of Inspectors General (AIG) has voted to adopt two new position papers that affirm core principles vital to the effectiveness and independence of Inspectors General.

The two documents address foundational elements of oversight work:

These papers reflect the AIG’s continued commitment to supporting Inspectors General in their mission to provide independent oversight, promote accountability, and uphold the public trust.

Support for Rhode Island’s Office of Inspector General

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) has been following the development of legislation to establish a Rhode Island Office of Inspector General and is encouraged by the submission of H-5997, to the General Assembly for consideration during the 2025 January Session. The Association issued a letter today in support of the legislation to the Chair and embers of the Rhode Island House Finance Committee

Click here to download a copy of see the full text below.

April 3, 2025

Dear Chairman Abney and Honorable Members of the Rhode Island House Finance Committee:

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) is an independent, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization of more than 2,500 members working in hundreds of Inspectors General offices across the United States and internationally. The AIG also promotes best practices for independent government oversight through the Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General (Principles and Standards), professional certification training, peer reviews and advocacy and outreach for the inspector general mission through its Government Relations committee.

The AIG has been following the development of legislation to establish a Rhode Island Office of Inspector General and is encouraged by the submission of H-5997, to the General Assembly for consideration during the 2025 January Session.

We recognize that well-crafted enabling legislation is indispensable for the creation of an effective office of inspector general.  The Principles and Standards establish the fundamental elements that must be addressed and provide guidance on the creation of effective legislation. Enabling legislation should define the powers and duties of the office; provide meaningful operational independence; establish process and procedure for the selection, retention, and termination of an inspector general; and appropriate authority to perform their duties .

H-5997 is a significant step forward and provides a good foundation for effective, independent oversight. The AIG stands ready to support the Rhode Island General Assembly in the development of legislation that supports the Principles and Standards that have guided state and local offices of inspector general for nearly 25 years.  

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if we may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Will Fletcher

President, Association of Inspectors General

Strengthening Oversight: Ensuring Stable Funding for Cook County’s Inspector General

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) has endorsed a proposal to establish a budgetary floor for the Cook County Office of Independent Inspector General (OIIG). In a letter to the Board of Commissioners, AIG emphasized the importance of securing stable and transparent funding to uphold the OIIG’s independence and operational effectiveness. Recognizing that financial security is essential for effective oversight, AIG supports this initiative as a best practice aligned with its Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General. This measure would strengthen public trust in Cook County government by ensuring consistent oversight, accountability, and transparency.

Click here to download a copy of the letter or see the full text below

April 2, 2025

Chairman Daley and Members of the Board of Commissioners:

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) is an independent, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting adherence to quality standards and encouraging governmental entities to adopt the inspector general model as an effective tool to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. With over 2,500 members serving in Inspector General (IG) offices across the United States and internationally, the AIG has spent nearly 30 years advancing best practices and fostering independent oversight in government.

The Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General adopted by the Association of Inspectors General emphasizes that IG offices should be funded through mechanisms that ensure adequate resources without internal or external impairments to their independence. Various jurisdictions have achieved this through dedicated revenue streams or funding formulas tied to total revenue or expenses.

At the request of the Cook County Office of Independent Inspector General (OIIG), the AIG has reviewed a proposal for establishing a budgetary floor to secure consistent and transparent funding for the OIIG. We believe this measure aligns with recognized best practices and supports the AIG's established standards for independent oversight offices.

Establishing a budgetary floor will enhance the OIIG's ability to perform its legislated duties without undue budgetary pressures, ensuring accountability, transparency, and operational stability. This approach not only safeguards the OIIG's independence but also strengthens public trust in the county government.

The citizens of Cook County deserve an adequately funded OIIG that can effectively fulfill its oversight responsibilities in any budget environment. OIGs frequently demonstrate financial benefits that surpass their costs, and their presence enhances accountability and transparency, bolstering public confidence in government operations.

Should the AIG be of any service during the process of establishing funding processes, please feel free to contact Executive Director Michael Castrilli at mcastrilli@inspectorsgeneral.org.

Sincerely,

Will Fletcher

President, Association of Inspectors General

AIG Calls on City of Albuquerque’s Oversight Committee to End Delays, Release Inspector General Reports

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) is deeply concerned by the drawn out failure of the Accountability and Government Oversight Committee (AGOC) to hold timely meetings for the City of Albuquerque Office of Inspector General (OIG) to present their reports for publication. For these five long months, nine reports addressing fraud, waste, and abuse remain unpublished in a clear breach of the City of Albuquerque’s promise to its residents for transparency in government. While government cannot be perfectly administered, transparency in a democracy demands that the AGOC should fulfill its basic duty of convening regular meetings so that the OIG can present it with reports of investigative findings and recommendations.

Today, AIG President Fletcher issued a letter to the Members of the Accountability and Government Oversight Committee from the City of Albuquerque. To download a copy, click here. A full text version of the letter is below.

April 2, 2025

Dear Members of the Accountability and Government Oversight Committee:

The Association of Inspectors General (AIG) is an independent, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization that represents thousands of members working in Inspectors General offices at all levels of government in the United States as well as internationally to advance the mission of independent oversight in government since 1996. The AIG is the author of the Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General, known as the “Green Book;” that provides guidance and best practices recognized as the gold standard for state and local government Offices of Inspector General.

The AIG is deeply concerned by the drawn out failure of the Accountability and Government Oversight Committee (AGOC) to hold timely meetings for the City of Albuquerque Office of Inspector General (OIG) to present their reports for publication. For these five long months, nine of these reports addressing fraud, waste, and abuse remain unpublished in a clear breach of the City of Albuquerque’s promise to its residents for transparency in government. While government cannot be perfectly administered, transparency in a democracy demands that the AGOC should fulfill its basic duty of convening regular meetings so that the OIG can present it with reports of investigative findings and recommendations.

For the AGOC not even to hold meetings sends a clear but unfortunate signal that it’s not interested in learning of misconduct within the City of Albuquerque let alone in formulating solutions to make its government operate more efficiently. This reluctance holds back the mission of government oversight and inevitably raises questions about the commitment to transparency.

An OIG’s ability to present the results of its work to government stakeholders and the public is a cornerstone of effective government oversight. When an oversight committee can essentially block the publication of OIG reports by failing to meet, it fundamentally undermines the very principles that Offices of Inspectors General are designed to uphold and the public ultimately suffers as a result.

We urge the AGOC to take immediate steps to convene regular meetings as it is required to do for the OIG to present all of its pending reports without further delay and to remove any barriers that restrict the OIG’s ability to publish its reports in a timely manner. The AIG stands ready to provide guidance and support in aligning Albuquerque’s OIG practices with national standards to ensure integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance.

Sincerely,

Will Fletcher

President, Association of Inspectors General

 

 

Inspector General Institute®, Columbus, Ohio (August 4-8, 2025)

Applications are now closed for the Association of Inspectors General Inspector General Institute® certification programs taking place in Columbus, Ohio, August 4-8, 2025!

Participants receive instruction from highly qualified instructors in core competency areas identified by the Association.  The Association awards the designation of Certified Inspector General®, Certified Inspector General Investigator® , Certified Inspector General Auditor®, Certified Inspector General Inspector/Evaluator, and Certified Inspector General Counsel® to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements regarding education and experience and successfully complete the certification programs.

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically. Each program application is unique to its particular course and is not interchangeable. 

Certified Inspector General® 

Certified Inspector General Investigator® 

Certified Inspector General Auditor®

Certified Inspector General Inspector/Evaluator® 

Certified Inspector General Counsel® 

Please click here to download the Certification Eligibility Form that must be submitted with your application.  

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they satisfy all eligibility requirements.

All applications are reviewed by the Association’s Professional Certification Board and accepted applicants will be notified of their acceptance and the next steps in processing.

If you have any questions, please email us at programsupport@inspectorsgeneral.org

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel rooms are limited, and we encourage you to book your room as early as possible using the AIG links below to lock in the AIG rates.

Hyatt Regency Columbus is the official hotel for the August 2025 Institute. Classes will take place in the Hyatt Regency, and attendee accommodations will be conveniently located in the same building as the Institute.

The Hyatt Regency Columbus

350 North High Street

Columbus, Ohio, 43215

Course Overviews

CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL®

The Association has identified six broad areas of core competency for inspectors general and their senior staff. The Association’s five-day curriculum covers the following six core competency areas:

CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDITOR®

The Association has identified nine essential areas for inspector general auditors.

CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATOR®

The Association has identified seven essential areas for inspectors general investigators.

CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL INSPECTOR/EVALUATOR®

The Association has identified seven broad areas of core competency for inspectors general inspectors/evaluators. The Institute program’s five-day curriculum covers the following seven core competency areas:

CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL COUNSEL®

The Association has identified seven broad areas of core competency for inspectors general counsel. The Institute program’s five-day curriculum covers the following seven core competency areas:

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credits: Attendees are eligible to receive 33-35 CPE credits, depending on the final agenda per each course. Please contact AIG Program Support (programsupport@inspectorsgeneral.org) for a detailed breakdown of CPE credit by Field of Study.

Program Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Intermediate. Please see Eligibility Criteria. All Attendees are approved by the AIG Professional Certification Board.

Advance Preparation: None

REGISTRATION, TECHNICAL, MEMBERSHIP, OR OTHER CONCERNS?

For assistance with registration or technical matters, contact AIG Program Support at programsupport@inspectorsgeneral.org.

For assistance with membership matters, including updating your contact information, or renewal, contact Membership Director Judith Ness via e-mail at memberservices@inspectorsgeneral.org.

To request a refund, file a complaint, or to view our complete administrative policy regarding this program, please click:

https://inspectorsgeneral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NASBA-Admin-Policy-Group-Live_Download.pdf

The Association of Inspectors General is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors www.NASBARegistry.org​​.