James W. Heath
Inspector General
City of Detroit
James Heath is the City of Detroit’s first Inspector General. His office is charged with “ensuring honesty and integrity in City government by rooting out waste, abuse, fraud, and corruption.” Inspector General Heath leads an office staffed by forensic auditors, investigators, and attorneys. The office has jurisdiction over all City of Detroit employees, elected and appointed officials, department heads, and contractors and vendors. James previously served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Michigan Department of Attorney General where he prosecuted embezzlement, environmental, and health care fraud cases. Prior to that he worked as an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County as a member of the Public Integrity Unit.
James is an elected member of the Board of Commissioners, the 33 member body which governs the State Bar of Michigan. He is also a member of the State Bar Character & Fitness Committee. James is active in his children’s school. In 2013 he helped found the Gesu Booster Club, which supports the school’s athletic program. During its first year in existence, the club spearheaded a fundraising effort which led to major capital improvements in the school’s gymnasium, new uniforms for several teams, and the reestablishment of the Gesu baseball program.
James received his BA from James Madison College at Michigan State University and his JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is a proud graduate of U of D Jesuit High School. James and his wife Malika have two children, James and Karon. James is a member of Legacy Associates Foundation and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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