Press Release  Attorney General's Office Initiates Next Steps In Audit Of Legislature

BOSTON — Today, in a letter sent to the State Auditor, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) authorized the State Auditor to proceed with litigation against the Legislature over limited documents defined by the Supreme Judicial Court’s (SJC) May 7, 2026 order. The AGO also agreed to appoint a Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) to represent all parties in that litigation.  

The AGO is pleased with the SJC’s order, which holds the State Auditor to commitments the AGO has sought for many months. Those representations now define the framework for these proceedings. 

The authorization allows the State Auditor to bring an action against the Legislature to enforce document requests identified in paragraph 3 of the Court’s order. This includes: (a) “the official budget for [each chamber] for Fiscal Years 2021, 2022, 2023 [,] and 2024”; (b) "[c]opies of official audits of [each chamber] for Fiscal Years 2021, 2022, 2023 [,] and 2024"; (c) "[a] listing of all transactions related to [each chamber’s] balance forward line item for Fiscal Years 2021, 2022, 2023 [,] and 2024"; and (d) "[a] listing of all monetary agreements entered into by the [each chamber] with any current or former employees or members of [each chamber] during Fiscal Years 2021, 2022, 2023 [,] and 2024". 

In addition, the AGO has authorized the appointment of a SAAG to represent the State Auditor. The AGO is coordinating with Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan to complete the appointment expeditiously. 

As a procedural matter, the AGO has asked the State Auditor to dismiss the currently pending complaint and file a new complaint that is consistent with the parameters set forth in the Court’s order and the AGO’s authorization.  

The AGO has requested confirmation of these steps from the State Auditor by May 18, 2026. 

The AGO will then file a status report with the Supreme Judicial Court reflecting compliance with the Court’s order, including an explanation that a ruling on the Motion to Strike no longer will be required as the complaint subject to said motion is being dismissed voluntarily, and the authorized complaint will be moving forward.

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