FDIC swears in new inspector general

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has a new inspector general.

Jay Lerner was sworn in Jan. 9 to oversee the office which conducts investigations of potential fraud and other crimes related to insured financial institutions and closed banks.

The office also works to detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse at the FDIC, while promoting economy and efficiency at the agency, according to a news release.

Lerner has worked in the federal government for nearly 25 years, most recently as chief of staff and senior counsel at the Department of Justice.

Previously, he served as assistant chief in the fraud section of the criminal division at  the DOJ and overseeing strategy and policy. Lerner has prosecuted banking and money laundering cases at the DOJ, served in the Department of Homeland Security.

Lerner, who was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate, earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has taught several courses on criminal law and law enforcement at the George Washington University.

Fred Gibson, who has served as acting inspector general since September 2013, will return to his previous position as principal deputy in the FDIC, according to the release.