Richmond’s inspector general, James Osuna, was fired Monday by the City Council after nearly six years on the job.
Osuna’s office is overseen by the council and acts as the city’s government watchdog, investigating claims of waste, fraud and abuse.
8th District Councilor Reva Trammell told VPM News that Osuna notified her of his firing after he met with councilors during Monday’s informal meeting. (As VPM News previously reported, Richmond passed its fiscal 2026 budget in a 6–2 vote at a later meeting; Trammell was not in attendance.)
The meeting went into closed session so councilors could discuss and consider “the Performance of a Council Appointee,” according to the agenda.
Trammell didn’t share why Osuna was dismissed, telling VPM News in a text to contact Council President Cynthia Newbille: “Make her talk she is the president that’s her job.”
Newbille’s office did not respond to VPM News’ request for comment.
Richmond City Council released a general statement on Tuesday that said it wouldn’t comment on personnel matters: “The Inspector General’s Office is of critical importance to the oversight work of City Council. An Interim IG will manage the ongoing work while Council oversees the transition in leadership.”
VPM News called the IG’s office on Tuesday and left a message seeking comment from the inspector general but did not get a response.
A spokesperson for Mayor Danny Avula said the city’s administration doesn’t “comment on Council’s personnel actions.”
The Richmond Times-Dispatch first reported the news. The newspaper reported Trammell said the decision came after a human resources complaint against Osuna — but she didn’t share details about it or say whether it led to his dismissal.
The city inspector general’s office recently investigated an ex-top official in former Mayor Levar Stoney’s administration as well as the city’s former top two election administrators. The review of Richmond’s general registrar found a misuse of public funds and other issues, ultimately leading Keith Balmer to resign late last year.
Richmond residents and city employees report alleged misconduct for the inspector general’s office to look into; final investigative reports are published online.
Osuna’s office did not publish reports for nearly five years until media coverage of city rules requiring him to post them online for public review. Then, last September, Osuna released a batch of previously unpublished reports dating as far back as December 2020.
