The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts issued an order requiring the Office of the Attorney General to make a final determination within 30 days regarding representation in the ongoing dispute over the State Auditor’s authority to examine legislative records.
The Court’s order directs the Attorney General to decide whether her office will represent State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, and whether it will continue to seek the striking of the complaint Auditor DiZoglio filed in connection with efforts to audit the State Legislature.
“The people of Massachusetts voted overwhelmingly for transparency and accountability in state government,” Auditor DiZoglio said after the order came down. “This order moves the process forward and ensures the Attorney General must finally make a determination regarding legal representation so the public’s interest is prioritized. We are very grateful to the Supreme Judicial Court members for their timely decision.”
“We are very pleased with the SJC’s order,” added Shannon Liss-Riordan, who represented the Auditor before the SJC. “We hope to hear from the Attorney General that she will withdraw her motion to strike the complaint so that this important case can move forward, so that we may seek to enforce the will of the People.”
“The SJC’s order affirms that our office has provided the AGO with all the information it needs and the AGO cannot indefinitely frustrate the public’s interest in auditing the Legislature, as mandated by 72% of voters,” said Michael Leung-Tat, General Counsel for the Office of the State Auditor.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell responded to the order with a post on her Facebook page, indicating she will comply with the wishes of the court.
“I’m pleased to share that the Auditor has provided the SJC with the clarity and commitments my office has been seeking — and that the court has entered an order holding her to those representations,” Campbell wrote. “We’ll comply with the court’s order expeditiously.”
Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly supported a ballot question in 2024 specifically giving the Auditor’s Office the authority to audit the State Legislature. To date, both the House and Senate have failed to comply with the law and the AG has yet to take action.
