GSA gets new inspector general

Brian Miller, former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, has been appointed as inspector general at the General Services Administration.

President Bush nominated Miller for the position last fall, and the Senate confirmed him July 22. The inspector general's office audits, investigates and oversees GSA's operations.

"GSA is fortunate to have someone of Brian Miller's caliber to serve as inspector general," said GSA Administrator Stephen Perry in a written statement. "His experience and background make him an ideal choice to lead the office whose mission is to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness within GSA and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse in agency programs and operations."

Miller has nearly 20 years of federal government experience. For more than three years, he served as counsel to Paul McNulty, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District. In that office, Miller participated in prosecutorial decisions and in the establishment of office initiatives and priorities.

Later as assistant U.S. attorney in the office, he took part in prosecuting accused terrorist Zaccarias Moussaoui and John Walker Lindh, an American who traveled to Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban regime.

At the Justice Department, Miller was part of a legal team that represented former Attorney General John Ashcroft in a series of lawsuits filed by individuals detained in connection with investigations of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

“It’s an honor and privilege to serve President Bush and Administrator Perry at this important time in our nation’s history,” Miller said in a written statement. “I look forward to contributing to the vital work done by the GSA Office of the Inspector General, and pledge to work hard for the American people.”

Miller has also supervised complex audits and investigations involving procurement, grant and health care fraud.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who leads the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, endorsed Miller in remarks she made in July. "GSA faces significant challenges," she said her written statement.

"From his responses to our written questions," she wrote, "it appears that this inspector general nominee, Brian Miller, knows how serious those challenges are. He recognizes that much of what GSA does has a tremendous impact across every agency of government, and thus has a great impact upon the American people."