After months of bureaucratic red tape and countless road blocks, New Orleans Inspector General Robert Cerasoli is getting help from the Federal Government.

WWL-TV

Inspector General Robert Cerasoli

“What would really help us if we could get people from D.C., who are IGs [Inspector Generals] in D.C., who are already not working on recovery, to detail some people here to help us over a period of time,” Cerasoli said.

Federal agencies stopped short of committing to physically relocating people to aid the Inspector General, but they pledged their support to get Cerasoli’s office off the ground – the biggest challenge that he has been having.

Cerasoli said that the commitment came after meetings in Washington D.C. Monday with Gen. Doug O’Dell, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.

“I think the general's intentions are good. He wants to do right thing and has been very supportive of me,” Cerasoli said.

A spokesperson for the Inspector General told Eyewitness News that 11 Federal Agencies have committed to helping Cerasoli’s Office – an unprecedented move. What kind of support – whether Federal money or moving people to help – has not been determined.

Cerasoli said that he needs people not money.

“The kind of people we need are the ones we're advertising for: forensic auditors, criminal investigators and that type of person,” Cerasoli said. “Those are the people we're looking for.”

Cerasoli was hired as the Inspector General for the city in September, but only has three people in his staff, including himself.  He wants to hire more than 30 people.

Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, called the pledge of support a step in the right direction because Cerasoli’s office is critically important.

There will be another meeting next month to discuss more in-depth the support Cerasoli’s office needs, and when the support can be implemented.

Cerasoli said he expects to have a staff of eight by next week.