Richard Skinner, inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security, is calling it quits after a 42-year government career.
In a letter to President Obama released late this afternoon, Skinner said he will retire effective March 1. “I believe the time has come for me to give my full-time attention to my family and personal endeavors,” he wrote.
Skinner became the department’s inspector general in July 2005 after two years as its deputy IG. Since 1969, he has worked in IG positions across the government, including the Agriculture, Commerce and Justice Departments, according to a news release. His service at the Federal Emergency Management Agency was recognized by the President’s Meritorious Executive Rank Award for sustained superior accomplishment in management of programs of the United States government, the release said.
Skinner has been “a valuable asset” to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the panel’s top Republican, Susan Collins of Maine, said in a statement.
She singled out Skinner’s work in uncovering “outrageous fraud and improper payments” in FEMA aid programs after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005.
“I am thankful for his aggressive approach to combating waste, fraud and abuse in the department,” Collins said.
