State Auditor’s Response to Working Group Report
Posted on Apr 9, 2021 in Most Recent, Summary
 PHOTO: Office of the Auditor The State Auditor Working Group, formed by Speaker of the House Scott Saiki to “determine whether the Office of the State Auditor is in compliance with Art. VII, section 10 of the Hawai‘i State Constitution,” issued its report on April 1, 2021. Although described to be akin to an audit, the Working Group’s review does not remotely resemble one. The report was completed without ever talking to the Auditor or any other current staff. It is primarily a collection of opinions based on manipulated data, inaccurate assumptions, and unattributed snippets of critical comments from former employees. The Working Group’s “findings” and conclusion are flatly wrong. Their review was never intended to be objective or fair and was simply part of a larger campaign to undermine our work and to exert influence over the Office of the Auditor. The State Constitution, which established the position, intended the Auditor to be non-partisan and independent, shielding the Auditor from such political interference. The Office of the Auditor helps to preserve the public trust in government through unbiased, objective, fact-based analysis that is intended to provide transparency, ensure accountability, and improve government. |