The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on Monday announced a new inspector general, longtime interim watchdog James Springs.
The agency he oversees is coming under new focus, as it is responsible for managing government records — including the communications of officials.
Springs has been with NARA since 1997, first serving as a senior auditor within the office of inspector general’s audits department. Less than two years later, he was promoted to the assistant inspector general or audits.
He has served as the acting inspector general since 2012, while his predecessor faced a federal probe.
“James brings valuable experience and focus to this leadership role,” said David Ferriero, the archivist of the United States and head of NARA. “The Office of the Inspector General is an important partner in NARA’s work. The staff [has] helped us strengthen our internal programs and hold accountable those who threaten the records we hold in trust.”
{mosads}The Office of Inspector General is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of NARA programs and for investigating fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement, among other things. The office also prepares semi-annual reports of its activities for the agency and Congress.
Paul Brachfeld, the former inspector general, announced last year that he would retire after being placed on paid administrative leave in 2012. He was under investigation after allegations of inappropriate conduct – including making insensitive comments about women and racial minorities and creating a “locker-room” environment in his office.
Some of the claims against Branchfeld were unsubstantiated by investigators, but the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency ultimately decided that his constituted administrative misconduct “and undermine the integrity reasonably expected of an IG,” according to a report from last year.
In light of revelations that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not use a traditional government email setup during her tenure at the helm of the State Department, NARA is flexing its muscle.
Earlier this month, the National Archives pressed the State Department to explain how Clinton’s emails were managed and what was being done to ensure that no federal records had been lost.
The agency is responsible for managing and preserving historical records, including the communications of government officials.