TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Friday announced that Kelly Beckham Madigan has been appointed the first Executive Director for the newly created Baltimore County Office of Ethics and Accountability.

Formed earlier this year as part of County Executive Olszewski’s sweeping package of ethics reforms, the Office of Ethics and Accountability will provide increased oversight of county government by working to identify any fraud, abuse or illegal acts. The independent office will have autonomy from the county executive and county council.

“Kelly brings a wealth of experience in litigation, deep professional integrity, and a passion for government accountability,” Olszewski said. “I’m confident that she will help ensure that our government is held to the highest standards.”

Madigan currently serves as the Deputy State Prosecutor for the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor, where she investigates and prosecutes public corruption, bribery, misconduct and election law crimes.

She served as Acting State Prosecutor from August 2019 until November 2019, following the retirement of former State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt.

Previously, Madigan served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for 11 years in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, including two years as a supervising attorney.

She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and University of Baltimore School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude.

“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 to creating an independent watchdog to ensure that residents can feel confident that their public officials are held to the highest standards.”

Under Madigan, the Office of Ethics and Accountability will be tasked with providing increased accountability and oversight in the operations of County government. The Office will exist independently from the offices of the county executive and county council and have unrestricted access to records and information, ensuring the Office can 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 Ethics and Accountability Director will also serve as Executive Director of the Ethics Commission, which will become an independent entity, after formerly falling under the Baltimore County Office of Law.

Madigan’s appointment as Executive Director must be approved by the County Council. Once confirmed, she will serve a five-year term.