Catherine Leahy Scott

Catherine Leahy Scott became New York State Inspector General on May 2, 2013. Prior to becoming Inspector General, Ms. Leahy Scott served as First Deputy Inspector General. As such, Ms. Leahy Scott oversaw the Inspector General’s Office operations, supervised and managed the agency’s caseload, and represented the office before both the State Forensic Commission and the Stimulus Oversight Panel where New York State was provided $26 billion through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Previously, Ms. Leahy Scott served as an Assistant Attorney General for New York State, investigating and prosecuting criminal matters with an emphasis on white-collar fraud and public integrity cases. In addition, Ms. Leahy Scott spent five years in the general practice of law as a sole practitioner in Columbia County. She served over thirteen years at the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, eight of which as Chief Assistant District Attorney. In that role, Ms. Leahy Scott investigated and prosecuted all levels of crimes, created new and innovative court-affiliated drug treatment programs, and supervised all prosecutors working within the office. During that time, Ms. Leahy Scott was appointed a member of the New York State Committee for Establishing Protocols for Forensic Child Interviews, and was a member of the both the State and National District Attorneys’ Associations. Prior to her time at the Columbia County District Attorney’s office, Ms. Leahy Scott also served as a Columbia County Assistant Public Defender. Ms. Leahy Scott received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University, where she was named Hofstra University’s Woman of the Year in 1981, and her law degree from the Hofstra University School of Law.