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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
IG should be able to recuse himself, legislator says
The state inspector general should have a way of removing himself from investigations involving his former employer or a family member’s current employer, a state lawmaker says.
State Rep. Dennis Murray, D-Sandusky, is introducing legislation that would require that the IG name a deputy inspector general to oversee investigations where a potential conflict may exist, including probes of agencies that formerly employed the IG or currently employ immediate family members of the IG.
The inspector general is appointed by the governor and charged with investigating allegations of waste, fraud and abuse within departments and agencies under the governor’s control.
Inspector General Tom Charles is under fire for a recent report that criticizes state Department of Public Safety Director Cathy Collins-Taylor who oversees the Ohio Highway Patrol. Charles retired from the patrol and his son and wife both currently work there.
Murray said he did not read that report or discuss the proposed legislation with Charles.
