At What Point Does It Become A Cover-up?

House Major Leader Mike Lefor's war on the state auditor ramps up again with a $285,000 project targeting the state auditor, while his legislative deputy's conflicts of interest go unchecked.

For years, Republican leadership primarily in the House, has had its sights set on the State Auditor.

Last legislative session, that animosity continued to ramp up.

The War On The Auditor's Office Heats Up

Legislative Records Show Distrust Of Auditor's Office Pre-dates Gallion's Tenure

Auditor Fight Demands Solutions, Here Are Two

Since that time, it has become clear why one particular legislator has been so personally committed to “taking down” State Auditor Josh Gallion because of her own personal conflicts of interest related to profiting from her legislative influence.

Republican Leadership In Denial About Ethics

Investigation Update: Should The State Spend Public Dollars To Create A Special Interest Group?

New Ethics Commission Complaint Filed Against Legislator

BioND Situation Exposes Broken Grant Approval Process

Ag Commissioner: BioScience Grant Program Needs Fixed Next Session

The latest front in this battle was reported on this morning by the North Dakota Monitor:

An audit of the North Dakota’s Auditor’s Office is delayed several months after the lowest bidder backed out, upping the cost of a review the state auditor calls a waste of taxpayer money.

The performance audit was requested by the 2023 Legislature after local governments voiced concerns about the cost of the agency’s services.

[…]

The 2023-2025 budget for the Office of Management and Budget set aside $500,000 for the performance audit.

The budget puts Lefor in his capacity as chair of Legislative…