State Corruption Investigator Headed to Baltimore County Government
A new position in Baltimore County government will create more turnover at the Office of the State Prosecutor, Maryland’s investigator for political corruption.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny A. Olszewski Jr. (D) announced Thursday that Kelly Beckham Madigan, the current deputy state prosecutor, has been appointed to become the first executive director for the newly created Baltimore County Office of Ethics and Accountability.
The independent office will have autonomy from the county executive and county council and will provide increased oversight of county government by working to identify any fraud, abuse or illegal acts, according to a county news release. The office was formed earlier this year as part of a package of ethics reforms introduced by Olszewski.
“Kelly brings a wealth of experience in litigation, deep professional integrity, and a passion for government accountability,” Olszewski said in a statement. “I’m confident that she will help ensure that our government is held to the highest standards.”
At the Office of the State Prosecutor, Madigan has investigated and prosecuted public corruption, bribery, misconduct and election law crimes. She served as acting state prosecutor from August until November, following the retirement of former State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt.
Madigan previously worked as an assistant state’s attorney for 11 years in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.
“I’m honored to join this administration’s innovative efforts to expand government accountability. The people of Baltimore County deserve to have the utmost faith in their government and I’m committed creating an independent watchdog to ensure that residents can feel confident that their public officials are held to the highest standards,” she said in a statement.
The newly created Baltimore County office will have unrestricted access to records and information to fully investigate claims of waste, fraud, abuse, and illegal acts within county government. The office will publish a yearly report documenting investigations and efforts throughout the year.
The office’s director will also serve as executive director of the county’s ethics commission.
Madigan’s appointment to a five-year term must be approved by the Baltimore County Council.
Danielle E. Gaines
Contributor
Danielle Gaines worked for Maryland Matters from September 2018 to January 2024. She covered government and politics for Maryland Matters for two years before moving into an editing position, ultimately serving as editor-in-chief for nearly three years. Previously, she spent six years at The Frederick News-Post ― as the paper’s principal government and politics reporter for half that time, covering courts and legal affairs before that. She also reported for the now-defunct The Gazette of Politics and Business in Maryland and previously worked as a county government and education reporter at The Merced Sun-Star in California’s Central Valley.
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