DiZoglio and Campbell are headed for court

As the auditor and the attorney general prepare to go to court next month, tensions are escalating on Beacon Hill. 22 News statehouse reporter Olivia Ray explains the AG's concerns about the pending lawsuit. The fight for an audit of the state legislature wages on and the auditor and attorney general are preparing to face off in court. The latest development in a now years-long conflict on Beacon Hill stems from the 2024 passage of a ballot question giving state auditor Diana DiZaglio the power to examine the finances of the state legislature. The legislature and several experts have repeatedly expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the audit. And while the auditor has asked the AG to step in and enforce participation in the audit, the AG says she still needs answers on several scope-related questions from DiZaglio. The auditor, expressing frustration that the AG has not stepped in to represent her, is attempting to sue the legislature in order to force them to participate in an audit. And Attorney General Andrea Campbell is attempting to block this suit. The AG says the auditor has no standing to bring a suit in the first place, and it could set a concerning precedent. According to the attorney general, allowing this suit would undermine her office's power and could encourage a wave of quote, intra-governmental, intramural disputes. The auditor has defended her right to file a suit and obtain outside counsel, especially because the AG has declined to represent her, instead representing legislative leaders. The Supreme Judicial Court will hold a May 6th hearing on whether the Attorney General's motion to strike the auditor's lawsuit should be granted. Working for you from the Statehouse in Boston, I'm Olivia Ray, 22 News.