A Cumberland County judge sided with the state auditor this evening.
After a two-hour hearing, Superior Court Judge E. Lynn Johnson ordered Operation Sickle Cell to allow auditors access to its computers and other records.
An attorney for the Fayetteville nonprofit had asked for a temporary restraining order against subpoenas issued by Auditor Les Merritt's office after it refused to grant full access. A spokesman said it was the first time in a decade the office had used that legal power.
Johnson asked a state attorney to draw up a written order for him to sign Monday that will force Operation Sickle Cell to open its books.
The nonprofit is run by Rep. Mary McAllister, a Fayetteville Democrat.
Comments
Less merit
June 8, 2007 - 5:28pm — AnglicoStill has them. To my knowledge.
Re: Subpoenas upheld
June 8, 2007 - 5:28pm — ryanteaguebeckwith (author)The duties and responsibilities of the state auditor are listed here in the state statutes. His role in auditing nonprofits that receive state money is described here.
— RTB
Re: Subpoenas upheld
June 8, 2007 - 5:11pm — lefaimWhat exactly are the responsibilities of the auditor? Does he get to investigate anyone that does any business with the state? Does he get to just pick and choose what he wants to look at?
Does anyone find it weird that he has such high profile investigations of big news stories? Does anyone else find it incredibly questionable that the auditor had his own ethic problems earlier this year?