Dr. Daniel W. Lucas is the Inspector General for the District of Columbia. Dr. Lucas was first nominated by the former District of Columbia Mayor, the Honorable Vincent C. Gray, and confirmed by the Council of the District of Columbia to a 6-year term in 2014. In 2020, Dr. Lucas was re-nominated for a second 6-year term by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and was subsequently confirmed by the Council of the District of Columbia for a term to end on May 19, 2026.
As Inspector General, Dr. Lucas leads the development and coordination of policies, recommendations, and actions that promote economy, efficiency, and efficacy throughout the District Government. Under Dr. Lucas’ direction, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) detects and prevents corruption, fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of government funds and authority. Dr. Lucas relates OIG findings of problems and deficiencies in the administration of programs and operations to the Mayor, DC Council, and leaders of government agencies, and the public.
During his tenure, Dr. Lucas applied systems-thinking to synergize OIG’s audit, inspection and evaluation, investigation, and Medicaid fraud control oversight functions. The OIG’s interconnected system continues to streamline processes and maximize resources to produce meaningful results for the District of Columbia. Dr. Lucas’ efforts were recognized when OIG received a U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award for Progress in Performance Excellence (the Baldrige Award).
Prior to his service to the District of Columbia, Dr. Lucas served as the Deputy Inspector General for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), located on the Washington Navy Yard in southeast Washington, DC. NAVSEA is the Navy’s largest systems acquisition Command, comprised of approximately 56,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel who build, buy, and maintain the Navy’s ships, submarines, and weapons systems.
A distinguished Navy veteran with 26 years of service in some of the most challenging duty stations, Dr. Lucas’ career is highlighted by successful deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Arabian Gulf (in support of the Global War on Terror), Caribbean Sea, and service to the Naval Inspector General. Awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and the distinction, at the time, of being the only person outside of the Department of the Air Force to be presented the John Levitow Award – the highest award given at Airmen Leadership School.
Dr. Lucas earned a Doctor of Business Administration from Capella University, a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Inspector General. Dr. Lucas was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.
