History

The Office of State Inspector General was originally created April 1, 1988, by executive order of Governor Buddy Roemer (BR 88-10) and remained in continuous existence by subsequent governors. The office was enabled by statute when Governor Bobby Jindal signed Act 12 of the First Extraordinary Session of 2008 enacting R.S. 49:220.21 through R.S. 49:220.25. This legislation established an independent Office of Inspector General within the Office of the Governor. Act 831 of the 2008 Regular Session then designated the office a law enforcement agency by conferring all investigative powers and privileges appurtenant to law enforcement except arrest power.  However, the Inspector General investigators have Special Officer Commissions from the Louisiana State Police, which do include full arrest powers.

Legislation in bold font can be viewed and downloaded using ADOBE ACROBAT READER.

Bill Lynch was appointed the first State Inspector General in April 1988, and held the position until his death in February 2004. In March 2005, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco appointed CPA Sharon B. Robinson as the second State Inspector General, and in January 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal appointed attorney Stephen B. Street, Jr. as the new State Inspector General.

The Office of State Inspector General is comprised of an audit and an investigative division. Its staff currently includes 9 auditors and 2 administrative coordinators. These employees are classified with civil service. In addition to the State Inspector General, the Office staff includes 1 attorney. The State Inspector General and the attorney are not classified with civil service.

Please view the Staff Directory for a contact list of the Office of State Inspector General staff.