Arthur A. Elkins Jr. is a seasoned American government official and attorney with a long career in law enforcement, investigations, and oversight within federal agencies. He served as the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2017 to 2020, overseeing the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in conducting internal investigations into agency misconduct, including high-profile probes into political interference and ethical violations under the Trump administration. His tenure was marked by efforts to maintain OIG independence amid controversies surrounding EPA leadership and policy decisions.

Prior to his EPA role, Elkins built an extensive background in federal investigations and legal practice. He began his career as a special agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, later transitioning to the Department of Justice (DOJ) where he worked as a trial attorney in the Environment and Natural Resources Division, focusing on environmental crimes and civil enforcement. Elkins rose through the ranks at the EPA OIG, serving as Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations before his appointment as Acting IG. His expertise in auditing and investigative oversight has been pivotal in addressing waste, fraud, and abuse in environmental regulation.

Elkins holds a Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his commitment to governmental accountability, though his time as Acting IG drew scrutiny from both political sides regarding the impartiality of OIG reports on EPA operations.