WASHINGTON— Today, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) released a statement following President Obama’s nomination of John Roth to be the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chairman Carper has called on the Obama Administration to quickly work to nominate qualified individuals to fill key management level positions throughout the federal government. DHS has been without a Senate confirmed IG for over two years.
“The President’s nomination of John Roth to fill this critical vacancy at the Department of Homeland Security is welcome news,” said Chairman Carper. “Unfortunately, the Department of Homeland Security has lacked a Senate-confirmed Inspector General for far too long. Inspectors General lead offices that are an essential component of good government, providing oversight and insight that can help improve how our government operates. This job is especially critical at the Department of Homeland Security given its size, complexity, and mission to provide for our nation’s security. That’s why it is important to have a permanent, Senate-confirmed leader in place to ensure that the office has the authority and direction needed to conduct comprehensive investigations and audits. I look forward to meeting Mr. Roth and working with my colleagues on the Committee to consider his nomination in a thorough and timely manner.”
John Roth is currently the Director of the Office of Criminal Investigations at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a position he has held since 2012. Prior to that, he was Special Counsel for International Money Laundering Policy at the Department of Justice (DOJ) from 2010 to 2012. Prior to this, Mr. Roth was the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General at DOJ from 2008 to 2009 and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at DOJ from 2007 to 2008. From 2004 to 2007 and 2009 to 2010, Mr. Roth worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in several roles, including Chief of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Operations. Previously, Mr. Roth served as Section Chief at DOJ’s Criminal Division for the Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs Section and the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section from 1999 to 2004, including serving a detail as Senior Counsel and Team Leader for the 9/11 Commission from 2003 to 2004. From 1994 to 1999, he was Chief of the Narcotics Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and from 1987 to 1994 he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Roth received a B.A. and J.D. from Wayne State University.