Episode 35 - Isabel Mercedes Cumming

In this episode, we delve into the world of government oversight, audit strategies, and investigative work with expert auditor and inspector general, Isabel Mercedes Cumming. Discover how rigorous evidence-gathering, quick action, and citizen involvement lead to transformative, live-saving changes in public agencies while maintaining independence and integrity.CHAPTERS:00:00 - Welcome to Auditors Save the World! 01:45 - Case example: catching a $600,000 fraud in 45 seconds06:19 - Investigative speed08:33 - Verifying situations through evidence and real-time inspections09:54 - The power of emergency reports in driving major changes13:33 - The necessity of independent oversight versus city audits17:23 - The significance of ongoing verification, even after initial fixes21:21 - The coverage of inspector general functions across U.S. cities23:29 - The career pathway from auditing to fraud examination and law24:29 - Final thoughts: Passion for justice, and the value of audit skillsABOUT ISABEL MERCEDES CUMMING Isabel Mercedes Cumming serves the Inspector General of Baltimore City, making history in January 2018 as the first woman and Hispanic to ever be named to the post. She also distinguishes herself as the first Inspector General to serve a second term. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has flourished under her leadership having quadrupled the number of hotline complaints, achieving independence for the office, and successfully growing the office from six to 19 employees. The OIG tackled numerous high-profile cases and achieved over $50 million of documented savings for the citizens of Baltimore in the first year. Ms. Cumming began her legal career at the United States Attorney’s Office as a law clerk where she specialized in investigating white-collar crimes. Prior she was the Director of Internal Audit for American National Bank in Baltimore for over seven years. She began her career with KPMG Peat Marwick in Baltimore as an auditor in 1984. Ms. Cumming was named the Certified Fraud Fighter of the Year in 2006 and the first Top Fraud Fighter in Maryland in 2004 by the ACFE. She was named a Top 100 Women in Maryland three times by the Daily Record and recently a Leader in Law. She traveled to Amman, Jordan where she taught White Collar Prosecution to fifty judges and lawyers for the Rule of Law program. She holds both Certified Inspector General and Certified Fraud Examiner credentials. In 2019, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Inspector Generals. She previously taught Principles of Fraud Examination at the University of Baltimore and continues to serve on the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the Law School. She earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from James Madison University, a master’s degree in business administration and a Juris Doctorate (law) degree with honors from the University of Baltimore.