(The Center Square) – The position of Legislative Inspector General will be vacant, according to an announcement made Tuesday.
In the announcement, it appeared former judge Michael McCuskey wouldn’t serve the remainder of his appointed term in the role.
According to a news release from the Legislative Ethics Commission, a bipartisan board of lawmakers from both statehouse chambers, it was informed Aug. 31 of an upcoming vacancy in the role, which it now seeks to fill.
“Rep. Jeff Keicher, Chair of the Legislative Ethics Commission, and all members of the Commission want to assure the public of the Commission’s commitment to filling the position in a timely manner,” read the LEC release.
The announcement didn’t detail whether the 78-year-old McCuskey, who has faced backlash over his handling of multiple ethics complaints in recent weeks, voluntarily stepped down from the role.
An unnamed lobbyist that accused former state Rep. Harry Benton complained in a letter to the LEC that McCuskey violated her right to anonymity during his investigation.
State Rep. Mary Beth Canty said in a post on X that McCuskey “lacks the temperament and approach” to be LIG, and she called on him to either resign or for the LEC to remove him.
These latest reports raise additional serious concerns about LIG McCuskey’s conduct, both during and since the Benton investigation. He has shown repeatedly that he lacks the temperament and approach the job requires. He should step down, or the LEC should remove him. https://t.co/2rIW8ow3dE— Mary Beth Canty (@RepMBC) August 29, 2026
McCuskey also faced claims that he didn’t take seriously the complaints of a former staffer of state Rep. Amy Murri Briel, D-Ottawa, after the staffer went public with allegations against the lawmaker that he previously deemed “unfounded.”
The Center Square inquired with the LIG’s office about the announcement of the vacancy, to which staff wouldn’t provide comment.
According to the LEC’s announcement of the vacancy, the search for applicants to serve as the next LIG will be open until Oct. 31.
The person chosen to become the next LIG will serve the remainder of McCuskey’s term.
“The term for this appointed position will expire on June 30, 2028, but may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms,” according to the announcement.
“The statement of the LEC is all that we are saying at this time,” Keicher said in response to an inquiry to the commission regarding McCuskey’s departure.
