Obama nominates new CIA inspector general

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has nominated a veteran investigator to be the next CIA inspector general, a crucial position that has remained vacant for more than a year.

David B. Buckley, a senior manager for Deloitte Consulting, will have to be confirmed by the Senate before he can fill the watchdog post charged with unearthing abuses inside the spy agency.

The nomination comes after months of congressional frustration with the White House about not putting forth for a candidate for the job. Several candidates had been mentioned but none made the cut.

Because the CIA's activities are mostly conducted in secrecy, the position is one of the most important at the agency.

John Helgerson, the agency's previous inspector, stepped down in March 2009. His former deputy, Patricia A. Lewis, has run the office since then. - AP