Former Labor IG Larry Turner Discusses Leadership, Independence and New Memoir

Larry Turner, the former inspector general of the Labor Department who was terminated in January 2025 together with 16 other federal watchdogs, discussed his career and the themes of his new memoir. He says the aspect he misses most is the daily interaction with his roughly 350-person staff and the hands-on leadership approach he promoted. Turner stresses that the appearance of independence is essential for OIG audits, noting concerns about his successor Anthony D’Esposito’s political ties.

He urges the administration to allocate sufficient funding and personnel to pursue fraud cases aggressively, criticizing recent cuts that reduced the Labor OIG workforce to about 250 employees. Drawing on personal experiences of segregation and racism, Turner advocates for truly merit-based hiring and DEI programs, arguing they attract the best talent. He also offers advice for employees dealing with hostile supervisors, emphasizing professionalism and the option to seek other opportunities after exhausting internal remedies.