Richmond appoints its next top watchdog after firing

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond City Council appointed the city's next top watchdog on Monday, officially filling the role after firing its previous Inspector General in mid-2025.

During a Jan. 12 Richmond City Council meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to appoint Foster Curtiss as the next leader of its Office of the Inspector General, which works to both detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse within city government.

On May 12, 2025, the Richmond City Council voted to fire former Inspector General James Osuna during a closed session. When 8News asked why they did this, we were told that "no comments will be made on personnel matters."

Just under a month later, on June 2, 2025, Curtiss was chosen to be the city's interim Inspector General, a role which he has held since.

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Curtiss initially joined Richmond's Office of the Inspector General in 2025. Before that, he spent more than two decades serving as the Division Chief of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Office of the Inspector General.

"A highly experienced professional, Mr. Curtiss has earned numerous awards, commendations and recognitions for his work, which include the U.S. Department of State Superior Honor Award for Exemplary Support, Special Agent of the Year for Criminal Investigations and three-time receipt of the NCIS Expeditionary Medal for Service in Africa and Iraq," city council said in a press release.