newsobserver.com projects - Auditor, commission feud - Comments

Re: Auditor, commission feud

bellaparola — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:43:48 -0400

I am not on the same team with the poster below (will someone explain to me what "democrackkk" means other than that those who use it are self-identifying as rightwing lunatics, please?) but on this topic I agree.

We need as many agencies as necessary, from the FBI to the AG to the auditor, helping root out corruption or questionable activities at all levels of government. Turf-protection, especially among state agencies, is very annoying, and in this instance it is beyond unseemly.

Just a few months ago, the commission was struggling under its workload and the short timeframe it was given to be fully operational - now the director thinks no one else can look at these issues, many of which have the potential to be crimes, not just infractions. We, their employers, need all the help we can get keeping all of our public employees honest, and unfortunately that could one day include the commission itself. I don't ever forget the warning against absolute power. Whether that's what is sought here, I don't know, but I do know that no one can have the power of exclusive jurisdiction.

Re: Auditor, commission feud

bellaparola — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:16:35 -0400

Also, I would like to politely disagree with the contention that "By law, Merritt must disclose his findings to the public."

I believe the auditor operates much the same way you describe the commission: if the initial investigation reveals cause for an investigative audit, then the results of that audit must be published. But I have been aware over the years of several, at least three, auditor investigations that never saw the light of publication because, as far as I could tell in following the gossip, there was nothing found that justified a complete investigation and report.

If I am wrong, I would gladly be educated as to how it actually works, but my limited experience tells me the process is about the same in that respect.

Re: Auditor, commission feud

FFC1304 — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:33:16 -0400

Um, many times it DOES take 'other agencies' to uncover CORRUPTION emanating from ALL state depts, Perry. Be glad that Les Merritt is
filling the void of a manipulated 'ethics' commission, that has NO teeth!

And, STRIVE to be SMARTER than a democrackkk!

Auditor, commission feud

bniolet — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:40:51 -0400

Two state agencies charged with cleaning up state government are fighting over who gets to hold the broom.

The N.C. State Ethics Commission, created in response to corruption scandals that sent powerful officials to prison, says it has the sole responsibility to enforce the state's ethics law.

State Auditor Les Merritt says the commission is prohibited by law from investigating anonymous complaints and that he has the right and duty to follow up on credible tips about problems in state government.

The debate has been quietly simmering since at least January. It boiled over Friday when the commission voted to ask the legislature to settle the dispute.

"We think the legislature gave it [the commission] the sole authority for implementing, interpreting, investigating and enforcing the ethics act," Perry Newson, executive director of the commission, said in an interview. "It's not the job of other agencies."

More after the jump.

Document(s):
Ethics Commission.pdf