State Auditor Passes Inquisition

Private auditing firm hired by legislature says "no red flags" at the state auditor's office. Process could cost taxpayers $285,000.

Over the last several legislative sessions, the turmoil between The Legislature and The State Auditor’s office has consistently ratcheted up. (Note this is not to be confused with the situation with the Burleigh County Auditor.)

To review the history of this conflict, here are some of the important updates of the past:

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

Legislative Roundup: Tax Cuts, Pension Reform, and The Auditor's War

At What Point Does It Become A Cover-up?

Yesterday, the legislative committee that oversees the State Auditor’s office received the private audit it commissioned, here what the Bismarck Tribune headline said:

From the Bismarck Tribune:

No glaring issues emerged from an audit of North Dakota's Auditor's Office in a findings report that was presented to lawmakers Thursday, Jan. 9.

Ordered by a bill passed in 2023, Legislative Management hired Forvis Mazars, an international accounting firm, to evaluate the office after local governments complained about costs associated with its services.

"What we saw was what we would expect to see of an organization like this (the Auditor's Office)," Forvis representative Charlie Jo…