Sean W. O’Donnell

The Honorable Sean W. O’Donnell – Former U.S. Inspector General (DoD & EPA), Federal Prosecutor, and Whistleblower Advocate

Summary

Sean W. O’Donnell is one of the United States’ most respected voices in government oversight, fraud prevention, and compliance. He served as Inspector General at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as Acting Inspector General at the Department of Defense, following a distinguished 15-year career as a prosecutor at the Department of Justice.

Federal Leadership and Oversight

In 2020, O’Donnell was sworn in as the presidentially appointed and senate-confirmed Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He directed more than 350 attorneys, agents, and auditors overseeing billions of dollars in EPA and Chemical Safety Board spending. Under his leadership, the EPA Office of Inspector General grew from an agency with $3 million in monetary impact the year before he was sworn in to more than $2 billion in 2024. He built a reputation as a relentless watchdog, pushing back against reckless spending and championing fiscal integrity.

That same year, the President appointed him Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense, a position he held until the end of 2022. During this time, his office recovered approximately $3.5 billion, issued 331 reports, and identified $1.25 billion in additional potential benefit to the Department. He oversaw high-profile investigations, including the DoD’s role in preparing for and responding to the January 6th Capitol protest, the U.S. Space Command basing decision, and the screening of displaced Afghans. As Lead Inspector General for Overseas Contingency Operations, O’Donnell coordinated oversight of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and U.S. government assistance to Ukraine.

Career as a Federal Prosecutor

Prior to his inspector-general appointments, O’Donnell served 15 years at the U.S. Department of Justice as an award-winning trial attorney and prosecutor. He specialized in white-collar crime, fraud, corruption, and national security matters. His prosecutions resulted in more than $4 billion in recoveries for the government and fraud victims.

He began his legal career clerking on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, gaining valuable early experience in federal judicial processes.

Education

O’Donnell holds a B.A. in Economics from Texas A&M University, a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Washington, and both a Master’s degree in Economics and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in Law from the University of Texas at Austin.

Current Work and Advocacy

Today, Sean W. O’Donnell is in private practice, representing whistleblowers who report waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to law-enforcement and congressional authorities. His unique background as both a federal prosecutor and Inspector General makes him a highly sought-after advisor and advocate.

Leadership Approach

Sean W. O’Donnell’s career reflects a consistent commitment to accountability, transparency, and public trust. He is widely respected as a relentless fighter against corruption and a champion of whistleblower protection. His leadership style blends prosecutorial rigor with independent oversight, ensuring organizations are held to the highest ethical and compliance standards. O’Donnell is recognized for uniting teams around a mission of integrity and for building oversight mechanisms that deliver measurable results. Today, he continues to apply these principles in private practice, influencing compliance, risk management, and organizational integrity in both public and private sectors.