PROVIDENCE – Rep. Robert Lancia, R-Cranston, is reintroducing legislation that would create an Office of the Inspector General in Rhode Island, WPRI-TV CBS 12 reported Jan. 27.
Lancia said the inspector general would have broad powers to root out public corruption.
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He said unlike the current auditor general, the inspector general would have full subpoena power to gain access to documents and witnesses necessary for investigations, and would be exclusively focused on investigating the misuse of public funds.
Lancia said the inspector general would be appointed jointly by the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. He is hoping to get the funding for the position into the budget that will be crafted over the next four months. Lancia estimated a cost of $1.5 million to establish the office. •
