Richard J. Griffin Confirmed As VA Inspector General
November 7, 1997
Richard J. Griffin has received Senate confirmation of his appointment by President Clinton as Inspector General at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA Inspector General directs a nationwide staff of auditors, investigators, inspectors and support personnel. The office conducts oversight reviews to improve the economy, effectiveness and efficiency of VA programs, and to prevent and detect waste, fraud and abuse. Before his confirmation, Griffin served as the Deputy Director of the United States Secret Service. He was responsible for planning and directing all of the Secret Service's investigative, protective and administrative programs. He also formulated and implemented operational policies and procedures which ensured that laws over which the Secret Service has jurisdiction were properly enforced.
Griffin began his career with the Secret Service in 1971 as an agent in the agency's Chicago office. Subsequent positions included agent in charge in Los Angeles, Deputy Assistant Director in the Office of Investigations, and Assistant Director for Protective Operations.
Griffin received a B.A. in economics from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and an M.A. in business administration from Marymount University in Arlington, Va. He is also a graduate of the National War College.
Griffin is married to the former Mary Jean Lang of Chicago. He and his wife have three children.
