Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan was given less than 36 hours this morning to reapply for her current position before the job deadline was extended following press inquiries.

The original job vacancy, posted this morning on the county’s career site, gave tomorrow (May 15) at 4:30 p.m. as the deadline for all applications for the inspector general position.

Around 11:30 a.m. today, the deadline was changed to June 4,  and the original posting – which incorrectly stated that the inspector general’s job had been opened since April 24 – was changed to “posted today.”

The press office for interim county executive Kathy Klausmeier has not yet responded to questions about the change.

UPDATE: The press office issued the following statement: “The listing was originally posted with the incorrect dates. This has since been corrected.”

Klausmeier set in motion the effort to replace Madigan as inspector general, rather than reappoint her to a new four-year term, on Monday when she notified Madigan that her original term had “expired” and she was now “in a holdover capacity.”

In a letter to Madigan, Klausmeier said her current job “will be posted on Baltimore County’s career webpage for recruitment on May 14.”

Instead, a posting, backdated to April 24, appeared this morning on the career site that gave May 15 as the deadline for all applications.

Reached today, Madigan said she was “stunned” by the development.

“A member of my staff alerted me to this fact. I am simply stunned. It will make it very hard for me to submit a complete and thorough application,” she said.

Applicants for the inspector general job are required to submit copies of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school, including diplomas and transcripts.

“Failure to submit proof of licenses, certificates and education will result in your application not being considered,” the county’s job posting warns.

Earlier Efforts to Undermine the IG

Appointed in 2020 as the county’s first inspector general charged with rooting out waste and fraud in county government, Madigan has been berated by several lawmakers for being too aggressive in her investigations.

After she published reports critical of the spending habits of former Ag Center director William “Chris” McCollum – who later pleaded guilty to perjury and embezzlement involving election funds – then-county executive Johnny Olszewski tried to strip Madigan of her independence. The legislation was withdrawn after a public outcry.

In late 2023, Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. again tried to curb her investigatory powers through legislation that was withdrawn following criticism from the public and other council members.

Last November, county voters approved ballot “Question B” that established the Office of the Inspector General within the county code so that no future county executive or council could eliminate the office.

Madigan today said she has received “an overwhelming number of text messages and calls of support from the public” regarding her appointment to a new four-year term. “It’s been wild to live through the last 24 hours.”

She affirmed that she won’t give up her effort to remain inspector general and said she hopes to receive support from the county council, which must confirm any IG candidate submitted by the county executive.

Yesterday lawmakers Izzy Patoka (D, 2d) and David Marks (R, 5th) praised Madigan’s job performance and said they supported her reappointment.

Young Supports Madigan

Today on social media Councilman Pat Young (D, 1st) joined them, praising Madigan for her “integrity, courage and deep commitment to the public good.”

“The future of the Inspector General’s office should be built on structural independence, strong protections from political influence and and the resources it needs to serve the public effectively,” he wrote.

“This office should never depend on goodwill alone to do its job, it must be backed by policy and the law.”

Young is an announced candidate for Baltimore County executive, as is Nick Stewart, who also today declared his support for Madigan.

In a statement on social media yesterday, Stewart praised Madigan, saying she “breathed life” into the office, and castigated Klausmeier.

“In a blatant misreading of the law, our County Executive contends that Inspector General Madigan cannot continue in her service and must reapply for her job,” Stewart wrote.

“This appears to be a convenient way of dismissing Inspector Madigan,” he continued. “As an attorney, I can share that this is incorrect and it is worth all that we have to fight it.

The council’s four other members, including Chair Mike Ertel (D, 6th), have not yet publicly spoken.

• To reach a reporter: reuttermark@yahoo.com