Gov. Abigail Spanberger has appointed former federal prosecutor Daniel Young as Virginia’s next State Inspector General, putting an attorney with a background in fraud and white-collar crime in charge of the office responsible for investigating fraud, waste and abuse in state government.

Young most recently served as assistant general counsel at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the organization created by Congress following the collapse of Enron to oversee audits of public companies and protect investors.

He previously worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and spent more than five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk and Alexandria.

During his time as a federal prosecutor, Young handled an $80 million defense procurement fraud case and a NASA contracting fraud prosecution. Both cases received awards from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

“The Commonwealth must always work with a focus on serving the public and protecting taxpayer dollars,” Spanberger said. “I have full faith that Mr. Young will hold our government accountable and maintain the highest standards.”

Young said he has worked to combat fraud and corruption throughout his career and looks forward to continuing that work as inspector general.

The Office of the State Inspector General investigates allegations of fraud, waste and abuse involving Virginia government and conducts performance audits, inspections and reviews of state facilities and programs.

Young grew up in Hampton Roads and graduated from the University of Virginia. He holds a law degree from Yale Law School and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. He lives in Reston with his wife and two sons.

The State Inspector General serves a four-year term and is appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.