DES MOINES – Sen. Jack Hatch, a candidate for Governor, announced Monday the Auditor of State, Mary Mosiman, has agreed to go forward with an investigation of the secret settlement hush money mess in the Branstad administration.
Hatch released a letter [below] stating the auditor’s position on an independent investigation. He called it an “appropriate response.”
Hatch’s statement is as follows:
“We are entering week six of the mess Terry Branstad has allowed to take over state government. We have seen news reports, hearings, documents, interviews and editorials. But Iowans still have more questions than answers.
That’s why I called for an independent audit to be commissioned by the state auditor. That’s why I called for the Governor to ask the Attorney General to get involved.
With regard to the $500,000 in secret settlement payments, the questions include who paid for it, who authorized it, where the money came from, was there federal money involved and did state agencies have authority to do that?
I am calling again for an independent audit. We have got to get the politics out of it and in a nonpartisan way, get to the bottom of what happened. This is a time for Iowans to believe in their government again. It’s not for sale, and it’s not to reward the Governor’s friends. Let’s get to the bottom of it.
The state auditor was engaged in this as soon as she found out the hush money was approved, and I think its appropriate for her to look at it. It’s also appropriate for her to ask for an independent audit on her own.
The Government Oversight committee, in a bipartisan way, also has a role, to look at any violations of law, and at the sources of money. The Senate is contemplating expanding the House bill, including more transparency and flexibility, and they are proceeding with that bill.
The legislature has a role and the auditor has a role. Both have constitutional duties here. But the key is to go forward in a nonpartisan, unbiased way.”
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