OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERALPress Releases
Anthony P. D’Esposito Assumes Role as U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General
January 6, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
WASHINGTON — The Honorable Anthony P. D’Esposito today officially assumed the role of the ninth Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) following his confirmation by the United States Senate on December 18, 2025.
As Inspector General, D’Esposito leads a nationwide, independent oversight and law-enforcement organization charged with protecting American workers, children, and taxpayers through criminal investigations, audits, and enforcement actions. He has made clear that under his leadership, the DOL-OIG will expand and aggressively pursue investigations focused on dismantling human and child trafficking networks, rooting out unemployment insurance and pandemic-era fraud, hunting organized fraud rings, and holding accountable those who undercut honest businesses and exploit vulnerable workers.
Inspector General D’Esposito will also prioritize combating forgery and identity theft schemes that compromise workplace safety, as well as the influence of labor racketeering and organized crime within labor unions and employee benefit plans. Leveraging strong partnerships across federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies, the DOL-OIG will take a coordinated, enforcement-driven approach to ensure criminals who drain public resources, endanger children, exploit workers, and defraud taxpayers are held fully accountable.
In his role, Inspector General D’Esposito directs oversight of nearly $14 billion in annual U.S. Department of Labor funding for essential programs, including unemployment insurance, worker safety and health, training and reemployment services, pension and health benefits, wage and hour standards, and economic statistics. He is committed to identifying waste and abuse, eliminating programs that fail to deliver results for the American people, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used lawfully and for their intended purpose — not for criminal gain.
“I am honored to serve the American people as Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor,” said Inspector General D’Esposito. “My mission is straightforward: strong enforcement, real accountability, and zero tolerance for fraud, exploitation, or abuse. We will aggressively pursue those who steal from workers, exploit children and vulnerable populations, corrupt labor systems, or misuse taxpayer dollars. This office will remain focused on protecting workers, safeguarding public funds, and holding criminals accountable.”
Inspector General D’Esposito has dedicated his entire career to public service. Prior to joining the DOL-OIG, he served in senior leadership roles at both the federal and local levels, bringing extensive experience in legislative oversight, fiscal governance, and public safety. Most recently, he represented New York’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2023 to 2025. During his tenure in Congress, he served on the House Homeland Security Committee, chaired the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, and served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Committee on House Administration.
Before his service in Congress, Inspector General D’Esposito served more than 15 years with the New York Police Department as a Detective, conducting complex criminal investigations involving violent crime, illegal firearms, narcotics trafficking, homicides, and organized criminal activity, resulting in nearly 700 arrests. He was awarded more than 50 departmental medals for his service. He also served 26 years with the Island Park Volunteer Fire Department, including as a Chief during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, leading emergency response and life-saving operations during major disasters.
In addition, Inspector General D’Esposito served as a Councilman and Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, the largest town in the United States, overseeing operations with an annual budget exceeding $550 million and a workforce of approximately 3,000 employees.
Inspector General D’Esposito is a graduate of Hofstra University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is an alumnus of Chaminade High School.
For additional information on DOL OIG, please visit oig.dol.gov. If you suspect wrongdoing involving DOL programs or operations, contact the DOL-OIG Hotline at (800) 347-3756 or oig.dol.gov/hotlinecontact.htm.
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