Wallace named interim Ga. state inspector general

ATLANTA (AP) - Gov. Nathan Deal has named Deborah Wallace as interim state inspector general.

Deal's spokesman Brian Robinson said Thursday that Wallace, currently the senior deputy inspector general, was selected as the interim replacement for outgoing Inspector General Deron Hicks.

Hicks earlier announced he was leaving to return to the private sector. Friday is his last day.

Wallace has an extensive background working in federal and state government. Wallace, a retired Naval officer, has been with the office since 2003. She previously worked as an investigator with the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigation Service, a security specialist with the U.S. Energy Department and an internal affairs investigator for Tennessee's Corrections Department.

The state inspector general investigates complaints against state agencies and employees. The office is currently reviewing an ethics complaint filed against Deal.