Dallas Inspector General Ousted Over City Charter Attorney Requirement

On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council voted to remove Inspector General Timothy Menke from his position, effective September 26. The council took this action due to a recent amendment to the city charter, which requires a practicing attorney to fill the role.

Menke, appointed in June, held the position for under three months. The inspector general is responsible for monitoring and conducting inquiries related to fraud, corruption, and adherence to ethical standards.

“Mr. Menke boasts an impressive background as a senior executive and has held roles in various inspector general offices; however, he does not fulfill the qualifications required for the inspector general position as outlined in the city charter,” stated a city filing regarding the resolution.

In November, voters approved a charter amendment that creates an independent Office of Inspector General, separate from the City Attorney’s Office. The provision stipulated that the inspector general must be “a competent practicing attorney of recognized ability.”

Menke may not hold a law degree, yet he brings over twenty years of experience as a federal agent and inspector general official, with a focus on fraud investigations. He served in the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services before his retirement in 2015. Following that period, he has taken on leadership positions in compliance and ethics with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Initially founded in 2021 as part of the City Attorney’s Office, the Office of Inspector General was transformed into an independent entity through a charter amendment, featuring a two-year term appointed by the council.

A job posting for the position earlier this year outlined a bachelor’s degree and extensive compliance experience as necessary qualifications, indicating that a law degree was “preferred,” yet it did not clearly state the requirement for an attorney as mandated by the charter.

‍