DiZoglio and Campbell argue legislative audit lawsuit before Massachusetts high court
Updated
Updated · The Boston Globe · May 6
DiZoglio and Campbell argue legislative audit lawsuit before Massachusetts high court
8 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · May 6
The Supreme Judicial Court hears Wednesday whether the auditor can sue legislative leaders and use outside counsel instead of the attorney general's office.
The justices are not yet deciding whether the 2024 voter-approved law constitutionally lets DiZoglio audit parts of the Legislature, a question lawmakers say raises separation-of-powers concerns.
House Republicans and Democratic Representative Alan Silvia backed DiZoglio, while Campbell says her office must control intragovernmental litigation; any ruling is likely only the first hurdle before an audit proceeds.
Can the Legislature's 'separation of powers' defense ultimately block the public scrutiny that voters demanded?
Is the Attorney General's office acting as a constitutional gatekeeper or an obstacle to a voter-approved mandate?
Massachusetts voters approved a 2024 ballot question empowering State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the Legislature. However, legislative leaders blocked her access to financial records, and Attorney General Andrea Campbell refused to represent DiZoglio or allow outside counsel. In response, DiZoglio filed a lawsuit in early 2026, which Campbell moved to dismiss. The Supreme Judicial Court held oral arguments in May 2026, expressing frustration with the stalemate and seeking ways to move forward. This conflict has sparked political divisions and fueled a grassroots movement pushing for broader transparency reforms, including a 2026 ballot initiative to subject the Legislature and Governor's office to public records laws.