Jennifer Costello, deputy inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security, will take on the new role as the agency’s acting inspector general, replacing John Kelly, who was scheduled to retire June 10, The Hill reported Monday. “I accelerated my retirement because I feel it’s in the best interest of the organization and its employees,†Kelly said in a statement.Â
He spent 11 years at DHS OIG and left office a week after reports emerged stating he overrode audits showing issues with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to disasters. A report by The Washington Post alleged Kelly directed FEMA auditors to write “feel-good reports†about disaster response. The former DHS watchdog denied the reports.
