McKinney Renews Call For Creation

Of State Inspector General’s Office

HARTFORD — State Senator John McKinney, R-Fairfield, testified before the legislature’s Government Administration & Elections (GAE) committee this week in support of his bill that would establish an Office of Inspector General in Connecticut. According to Sen McKinney, the newly formed office is necessary to eliminate fraud and abuse on all levels of government and to restore the public’s trust on local officials and institutions. Sen McKinney introduced a similar bill last year and believes that in light of recent events on both the state and local levels the need for the creation of such an office has never been more critical.

“The time has come for the establishment of an Inspector General’s office in Connecticut,” said Sen McKinney. “Over the past few years Connecticut has been home to some very high profile cases of alleged government corruption. There is now a clear recognition that we as a state must act to eliminate such corruption and put in place a structure that will prevent it from happening again.”

According to Sen McKinney, the Office of Inspector General would have broad authority to conduct audits and investigations on all levels of government. The awarding of state contracts would also fall under the purview of the office. In addition, the Inspector General would receive and respond to complaints from employees, whose confidentiality is to be protected. Sen McKinney said that the new office would be independent from politics, have access to all records and have subpoena power as well.

 “This is not a new concept. Inspectors General exist at the national, state, and even municipal levels of government,” said Sen McKinney who along with 4th District Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) first proposed the idea last year. “While in the past the focus of such an office might have been aimed at local cases of fraud and abuse this bill focuses on corruption wherever it is in Connecticut.”