ALBANY, NY (January 29, 2026) — The New York State Inspector General’s Office marked its 40th anniversary Thursday, celebrating the milestone with a public program at the New York State Museum and the release of a special edition biennial report.
Created by executive order under former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, the office investigates fraud and corruption in state government. The anniversary comes as independent oversight faces challenges nationwide.
Inspector General Lucy Lang hosted the evening program Wednesday in collaboration with the New York State Archives, New York State Museum and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Titled “Illustrious Strangers at 250: Inspectors General and the American Democratic Tradition,” the event featured former U.S. Department of the Interior Inspector General Mark Lee Greenblatt, historian and author Paul Lockhart, and former New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn.
Award-winning actor Stephen Lang delivered a special reading of historical texts on accountability and public service.
Artifacts on loan from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Museum included items related to Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, regarded as America’s first inspector general, such as his pocket watch and an original copy of his “Blue Book” training manual for the Continental Army.
“Forty years ago today, New York made a clear statement that independent oversight matters,” Lucy Lang said. “Today, with public trust in government being shaken to its core, last night’s conversation reminded us that watchdogs are central to the American democratic tradition, and that independent oversight is as vital today as it was at the time of the nation’s founding.”
Association of Inspectors General President Will Fletcher praised Lang’s leadership.
“Inspector General Lang’s influence extends well beyond New York,” Fletcher said. “Through her leadership, the New York State Inspector General’s Office has strengthened accountability at home while working to ignite the conversation about the importance of independent oversight nationwide.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a gubernatorial citation honoring the office for four decades of service and its role in promoting transparency, accountability and integrity across state government.
Lang also released the office’s biennial report, which reviews notable investigations over 40 years and details recent work by the Office of the New York State Inspector General, the Office of the Welfare Inspector General and the Office of the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General.
“The Biennial Report is both a snapshot of where we are and a reflection of how far this Office has come over forty years,” Lang said. “It tells the story of an institution that has evolved with the challenges of its time, while remaining anchored to a simple but powerful mandate to protect the public, strengthen government, and do right.”
The report, event images and the governor’s citation are available online.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.