A new state agency dedicated to reducing fraud, waste, and abuse will soon take shape after the governor signed legislation on Thursday authorizing the creation of a Delaware Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
The office will become a first-of-its-kind entity in Delaware—an independent, nonpartisan agency tasked with safeguarding public health and safety while investigating and preventing government fraud, waste, mismanagement, corruption, and other abuses of taxpayer resources.
Under the new statute, Inspectors General would be appointed through a structured nomination process. A selection panel appointed by the Secretary of State will review candidates and recommend a short list to the governor. From that list, the governor will nominate one individual for Senate confirmation. Once appointed, the Inspector General will serve a five-year term.
The legislation had bipartisan support. Among its co-sponsors were State Reps. Tim Dukes (R-Laurel) and Lyndon Yearick (R-Camden, Wyoming, Woodside).
The office is designed to collaborate with existing oversight bodies such as the State Auditor, Attorney General, and Public Integrity Commission. It will also submit public annual reports outlining investigations, findings, and recommendations—helping Delaware identify systemic problems and implement reforms. It is expected to be operational in the coming year.
Though the office is expected to require an annual budget of approximately $1.5 million, supporters argue that similar offices in other states have routinely saved or recovered many times that amount through audits, investigations, and oversight initiatives. More than 30 states have established some form of an Inspector General’s office. However, their structure, powers, and jurisdiction vary widely. States such as Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Virginia maintain centralized, statewide OIGs, while others operate department-specific offices with more limited authority.
