IG resigns, decries executive pay system

Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General Nikki Tinsley announced she will resign March 3 and cited the negative impact on inspectors general of the new performance-based pay system for senior executives.

Tinsley spokesman John Manibusan said one factor in her decision to retire after a 30-year federal career and nine years as EPA’s IG was her frustration with the new pay system. IGs aren’t able to earn the higher salaries afforded under the new system since the only person able to evaluate an IG’s performance is the head of the agency, a situation that would present a conflict of interest. If the inequities aren’t resolved, inspectors general could be in the awkward position of earning less than the employees who work under them, Manibusan said.