The office was established by Governor Mario M. Cuomo's Executive Order No. 79 in 1986, with jurisdiction over several executive agencies which handled large sums of money in contracts with local governments, community organizations, and private corporations. The jurisdiction of the office was expanded by Executive Order No. 86 of 1986 to include all agencies, departments, or divisions headed by appointees or nominees of the governor. Executive Order No. 103 of 1987 authorized the inspector general to release written reports of investigations to the public and stated that the inspector general serves at the pleasure of the governor and reports to the director of criminal justice.
From the New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY. Agency record NYSV95-A4
