"In 2024, close to 72% of Massachusetts voters approved of a ballot measure specifying that the state auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature. DiZoglio has gone all-in on the issue, frequently calling out leaders on Beacon Hill for not cooperating. Democratic leaders within the Legislature have raised concerns that the audit DiZoglio is trying to conduct could violate state law regarding the separation of powers."
"DiZoglio maintains that Campbell is "gaslighting" the public and that her office has given Campbell's all the information it has asked for. Last summer, DiZoglio's office retained the law firm Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar to potentially represent it in its lawsuit. Any lawful litigation brought by state officials must be authorized by Campbell's office, it said. Campbell told WBUR in November that DiZoglio's "privately funded legal arrangement also raises significant legal and ethical questions.""
Diana DiZoglio seeks Attorney General Andrea Campbell's approval to hire outside counsel to conduct an audit of the Massachusetts Legislature. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue has offered to pay those lawyers. A 2024 ballot measure gave the state auditor authority to audit the Legislature, and DiZoglio has pushed the issue while alleging legislative noncooperation. Legislative Democrats warn the audit could violate separation-of-powers law. DiZoglio intends to sue legislative leaders to compel compliance. Campbell has refused to authorize litigation without more information and raised legal and ethical concerns about the privately funded arrangement. DiZoglio's office retained Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar last summer.
#state-auditor-audit #separation-of-powers #privately-funded-legal-counsel #attorney-general-authorization
Read at Boston.com
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