DiZoglio accuses Healey, Campbell of blocking audits, "gaslighting"
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State Auditor Diana DiZoglio escalated her conflict with Gov. Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on Wednesday, accusing both of obstruction and "gaslighting" to undermine her office's oversight authority.
Why it matters: DiZoglio says the resistance from Healey and Campbell threatens to render her office and its auditing powers "meaningless" by blocking access to basic government records.
- At a State House news conference on Wednesday, DiZoglio called it a pattern that didn't exist before Healey and Campbell were in office.
What they're saying: "I do believe that there is collusion and conspiring going on behind the scenes in that regard, and that it needs to stop," DiZoglio said of Healey and Campbell.
The other side: Campbell's office in a statement said it had given DiZoglio's staff "access to every personnel file they requested" after notifying the subjects of the auditor's request, per state law.
- Healey did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Between the lines: Though she's a fellow Democrat, DiZoglio's persistent attempts to look into the books of state agencies and the Legislature have been at odds with leaders of the majority party on Beacon Hill.
State of play: The newest conflict centers on an audit of settlement agreements across 21 state agencies that found a $1.38 million Massport settlement that DiZoglio says conceals discrimination allegations.
What's happening: DiZoglio says Healey's office was the first to refuse records for an audit. And she says that Healey was acting on Campbell's advice to refuse.
- According to the auditor, Massport and the AG's office contacted employees being audited and invited them to oppose DiZoglio's requests.
- DiZoglio's office sent a letter Wednesday morning telling Campbell of plans to sue for access.
The intrigue: DiZoglio accused the AG of "gaslighting" her office when she attempts audits.
- DiZoglio says she has "repeatedly answered questions over and over again," only to face identical inquiries and allegations from the AG's office that the auditor hasn't responded.
- DiZoglio said Campbell is asking "trick questions" about hypothetical future audits rather than addressing the current document requests.