- Office of the State Auditor
Media Contact for State Auditor Uncovers Disturbing, Unlawful Practices at the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
Andrew Carden, Director of Operations
Boston — Today, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s Office released an audit of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), which reviewed the period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. The audit team extended the audit period back through January 1, 2018, to review certain issues raised to our office regarding MCCA’s procurement and employee complaint practices.
MCCA is a public authority of the Commonwealth, established by Section 31 of Chapter 190 of the Acts of 1982. It operates the Hynes Convention Center, Boston Common Parking Garage, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), Lawn on D, its parking facility (Lot on D), and MassMutual Center in Springfield.
The audit of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority uncovered disturbing and unlawful practices.
“Our audit found that, under prior leadership, the Convention Center cherry-picked when it was convenient or not convenient to follow public records law, Chapter 30b, alongside its own policies and procedures with regard to state procurement and contracting. Deeply troubling is also the fact that prior leadership violated the law in executing a $1.2 million non-disclosure agreement – concealing allegations of racial discrimination,” stated Auditor DiZoglio. “Our office thanks Interim Executive Director, Gloria Cordes Larson, for working alongside our audit team to immediately begin addressing these and other very concerning issues identified in the report. Our office will continue to work alongside the MCCA to shine a light on areas for improvement through our post-audit review, which will be conducted in roughly six months.”
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