Common Cause Maryland has added its voice to the chorus of criticism over Kathy Klausmeier’s decision to withhold the reappointment of Baltimore County’s inspector general, urging the interim county executive “to immediately reappoint award-winning Inspector General Kelly Madigan” to a second term.

“It is deeply concerning that, even following voters’ approval on the ballot in 2024 to strengthen the Baltimore County Office of Inspector General, some local government officials have found yet another way to disrupt the work of the office,” Joanne Antoine, executive director of the good government advocacy group, said in a statement issued today.

Antoine was referring to widespread speculation that Klausmeier cut a deal with Johnny Olszewski not to reappoint Madigan in return for his support of her bid to become county executive.

Almost immediately after Klausmeier was named interim county executive last January – filling out Olszewski’s remaining term after he was elected to Congress – The Brew and others were told that Madigan had “a target on her back” and her reappointment, kicked over to Klausmeier, was “toast.”

“Reappointing the current inspector general should be a simple priority to continue this critical work. But instead, the interim county executive is derailing a standard reappointment to create unnecessary chaos,” Antoine said.

Klausmeier has declined to speak to the media or address a petition by over 250 residents calling for Madigan’s reappointment. Her office says she is following “best practices” by opening the inspector general’s job to all candidates, and Madigan is welcome to reapply for her current position.

Initially, the county’s human resources website gave Madigan less than 36 hours to reapply for the position. Following media inquiries, the date was extended to June 4, and Klausmeier’s press secretary said the original date was in error.

Madigan says she is “humbled” by the support shown by county residents and will reapply for a second term. There is no word of other candidates for the position.

“Honor the will of the people”

Antoine said that Klausmeier’s interference in the process of hiring “the very person responsible for holding her administration accountable” represents “a major conflict of interest.”

“Hundreds of constituents and the majority of the County Council have publicly shared their support for Inspector General Madigan, so the interim county executive should honor the will of the people,” she argued.

Antoine served on the Baltimore County Blue Ribbon Commission on Ethics and Accountability, which was established by Olszewski to review the inspector general’s office.

The commission recommended that the office, set up in January 2020 to uncover waste and fraud in county government, be included in the county charter so that no future county executive could terminate or defund it. Baltimore County voters overwhelmingly approved the change last November.

The commission was established in October 2021 after Olszewski’s attempt to cripple the office failed. Earlier in the year, Olszewski introduced legislation to create an IG oversight board packed with political appointees who with the power to approve – and potentially veto – her investigations.

The legislation was withdrawn after an outcry from the public and “grave concerns” expressed by the nationwide Association of Inspectors General.

Unlike the situation in Baltimore City, where the inspector general is appointed by an independent panel without input from the mayor or other elected officials, the county IG serves at the pleasure of the county executive.

Madigan’s five-year appointment as the county’s first inspector general lapsed on January 21. The law gives Klausmeier the authority to appoint Madigan to a second term subject only to confirmation by the county council.

However, in a letter hand-delivered to Madigan on May 12, the county executive declared that Madigan’s term had lapsed and she was serving in a holdover capacity.

“The county executive shall conduct an open search process for the inspector general. . . As the current inspector general, I would encourage you to apply for the position if you are interested in remaining with Baltimore County government,” the letter stated.

Council Supports Madigan

Since then, six of the seven members of the Baltimore County Council, responsible for confirming the inspector general position, say they favor Madigan continuing in her role for a second term.

The sole holdout is 4th District Democrat Julian E. Jones Jr., who has been the subject of two Madigan investigations – one for committing county funds to repave a private alley owned by a developer and the other for including a campaign donation link in his official government email.

In December 2023, Jones tried to slip last-minute amendments into inspector general legislation coming up for a final vote in the council. He withdrew the amendments following Brew reports about how they would undermine the office’s independence.

Antoine said Common Cause would support legislation setting up an independent advisory board to oversee the appointment of future inspector generals. For now, Klausmeier should at very least retain Madigan in her current position until voters elect a new county executive, she added in an interview.

Councilman Izzy Patoka (D, 2nd) told The Brew that he plans to introduce a bill in July that would change the county charter to take the IG appointment out of the hands of the county executive and leave it to an independent board, similar to the Baltimore City setup.

The bill would require a supermajority of five votes to pass and, if approved, would come before voters on the November 2026 ballot.

Prior Brew Coverage

• EXCLUSIVE: Klausmeier declines to reappoint Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan (5/13/25)

• Councilman Patoka backs a second term for Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan (5/13/25)

• Baltimore County executive’s office changes deadline for inspector general job after posting is questioned (5/14/25)

• The law is clear: County Executive Klausmeier has full authority to reappoint Inspector General Kelly Madigan (5/20/25)

• Klausmeier plans to appoint a panel to review candidates for county inspector general position (5/21/25)