Earl Devaney

Earl Devaney was a prominent American government official known for his extensive career in public service, particularly as an inspector general. He was born on June 8, 1947, in Reading, Massachusetts, and passed away on April 15, 2022. Devaney began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Massachusetts before joining the United States Secret Service, where he became recognized for his expertise in white-collar crime. He served as the special agent in charge of the Fraud Division until his retirement in 1991.14

After his tenure with the Secret Service, Devaney held significant positions, including director of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and inspector general for the U.S. Department of the Interior. He was instrumental in high-profile investigations, including those related to the Abramoff scandal and ethical failures within the Minerals Management Service.124 In 2009, he was appointed by President Obama as the chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, overseeing the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.23

In addition to his government roles, Devaney was also the president of The Devaney Group, a consultancy based in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, where he provided strategic advice to various organizations.35 His legacy includes a commitment to transparency and accountability in government spending, which has inspired many in the oversight community.24