Attorney General Andrea Campbell Should Take a Lesson from the U.S. Attorney

Following the indictment and arrest of State Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-Dennis) on federal corruption charges, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance released the following statement on this morning’s disturbing but powerful reminder of exactly why the people of Massachusetts voted by a landslide—72% statewide—to give their elected Auditor the power to independently audit the state legislature.

“Today’s arrest is just the latest proof that Beacon Hill is far from immune to corruption, and it's exactly why voters demanded accountability through the Audit the Legislature ballot question. The U.S. Attorney is doing her job and she’s doing it well. Meanwhile, Attorney General Andrea Campbell refuses to do hers and enforce the voter approved law to audit the legislature,” said Paul Diego Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

The charges against Flanagan are extensive: according to the federal indictment, he allegedly orchestrated a years-long scheme to defraud a Cape Cod trade association of tens of thousands of dollars to fund both personal and political expenses. Prosecutors claim Flanagan even created fake personas to cover his tracks—stealing money to finance his campaign for State Representative while lying to regulators and falsifying records.

While Auditor Diana DiZoglio has been vocal and persistent in her push to audit the legislature—as the voters instructed her to by a resounding margin—Attorney General Andrea Campbell has refused to take action to enforce the law. By so far sitting it out, she is instead siding instead with Beacon Hill insiders such as Representative Flanagan who are determined to shield themselves from the oversight of an audit from the independently elected auditor.

“Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly supported the Audit the Legislature initiative because they knew something was broken. Today’s arrest confirms just how right they were. It’s time for Attorney General Campbell to stand up for the voters and force the legislature to comply with the audit law,” stated Craney.

“The culture of entitlement and corruption on Beacon Hill will continue unless there is real, independently elected oversight. The people voted. The Auditor is ready. It’s time for the Attorney General to stop blocking accountability and start enforcing the law,” closed Craney.