After being confirmed by the Delaware State Senate on Thursday, Governor Matt Meyer swore in Robert Storch as the state’s first Inspector General at Legislative Hall.
Senate Bill 4 (as amended), creating a nonpartisan, independent Office of the Inspector General, was enacted last August.
Mr. Storch most recently served as the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense, where he led a global workforce of more than 1,800 professionals reviewing the DOD’s programs and personnel. He previously served as the first Inspector General of the National Security Agency. He is currently a lecturer at Columbia Law School, teaching a seminar titled “Combating Corruption and Strengthening Government,” which examines the work of inspectors general and other oversight mechanisms.
“Creating an independent Office of the Inspector General was about restoring and strengthening public confidence in government, and that mission begins with selecting the right person to lead it,” said Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown), one of the sponsors of the bipartisan bill. “Robert Storch’s extensive background in oversight, accountability, and public integrity makes him exceptionally qualified to serve as Delaware’s first Inspector General.”
While Delaware already has a state auditor and an attorney general, the new office is intended to address oversight gaps and collaborate with these agencies to strengthen accountability. The new agency will also provide citizens with a clear, accessible point of contact to raise concerns about fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption in government.
State House Republicans, Rep. Tim Dukes (R-Laurel) and Rep. Lyndon Yearick (R-Camden, Woodside) were among the bill’s co-sponsors. State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard) was a member of the selection panel recommending Mr. Storch’s nomination to the governor.
At least 11 other states have a statewide inspector general. More than double that number have inspectors general incorporated into at least one state agency.
