Inspector General

About the Role

The Office of the Inspector General for the State of Rhode Island is established by Chapter 9.4 of Title 42 of Rhode Island General Laws as an independent and nonpartisan administrative agency. Its purpose is to investigate the management and operation of agencies to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds that harms the public interest. The Office was recently created, with legislation becoming effective July 1, 2026. The first Inspector General will be responsible for establishing the organizational structure of the Office, hiring and supervising staff, and promulgating rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the management and operation of agencies to determine if there has been evidence of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or any other abuse of governmental resources that harms the public interest.
• Investigate retaliation claims regarding whistleblowers.
• Report suspected acts of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement to the governor and other relevant state entities.
• Conduct special investigations and management reviews of agencies at the request of the governor.
• Establish procedures to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints, including recommending disciplinary action or further investigation as warranted.
• Educate agencies on detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement; evaluate relevant policies and create remedial action plans.
• Act as a liaison to agencies to promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency in state government.
• Maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number, website, email address, and physical mailing address for complaints and inquiries.
• Collaborate with the attorney general, law enforcement, the ethics commission, and the auditor general to ensure efficiency and avoid duplicative work.
• Enter into contracts for audits or specialists as needed, coordinating with the auditor general for efficient resource utilization.
• Investigate concerns regarding fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of state or municipal government funds upon formal request by a municipality.
• Follow investigative procedures, conclude investigations, access agencies and records, issue oaths and subpoenas, promulgate rules and regulations, file reports, submit a budget, and protect whistleblowers as outlined in RIGL 42-9.4.

Requirements

• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the mission of public service. Candidates must provide prior professional opinions, positions, or actions that may influence their approach to the role, subject to public disclosure.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in criminal justice, public administration, law enforcement, accounting, or related areas.
• Have 10 years of professional experience in auditing, investigations, law enforcement, accounting, or related areas.
• Hold a professional certificate from the Association of Inspectors General, such as Certified Inspector General or Certified Inspector General Investigator, at the time of application.

Special Requirements

• The Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission will select three qualified candidates to send to the Governor, who will appoint one individual from the list.
• All applications for this position will be made public.
• Interviews will take place in an Open Meeting pursuant to the Rhode Island Open Meetings Act and may be held in Open Session or Executive Session, in person or via video conference. Candidates traveling for in-person interviews may be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses.
• The appointed individual will be subject to advice and consent of the Senate.
• The Inspector General will serve an initial term of five years, with the opportunity for reappointment to a second five-year term.
• The Inspector General is subject to the Rhode Island Code of Ethics.
• The Inspector General may not hold or be a candidate for any other elected or appointed public office, hold a position in any political party, or participate in a political campaign while serving.
• Individuals who have held certain disqualifying positions (e.g., member of the general assembly, elected public office holder, cabinet secretary, or equivalent) within the past year are ineligible for nomination.

Supplemental Information

By submitting an application, the candidate understands that their application will be made public, consents to the Association of Inspectors General releasing their record of certification, and attests that all information provided is true and factual.

Benefits

For information regarding benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website. All new hires are required to participate in direct deposit as per RI General Law 35-6-1.