Auditor Diana DiZoglio – whose poll query promotes legislative transparency – was among the many State Home lawmakers and state officers skirting state legislation by pocketing giant donations from highly effective lobbyists’ households.
DiZoglio was not included in a Boston Globe expose on state pols like Senate President Karen Spilka taking 1000’s of {dollars} in contributions from the wives of Beacon Hill energy dealer lobbyists.
DiZoglio, who has rankled lawmakers, is the first sponsor of Query 1, which might give her authority to audit the Legislature. However information present she was a part of that linked membership of lawmakers and state officers who additionally took benefit of the loophole permitting giant donations from households of lobbyists.
A Herald evaluation of information exhibits DiZoglio accepted 4 $1,000 donations in 2022 and 2021 from the spouse and son of lobbyist Brian Dempsey, whose agency represents purchasers in well being care like Blue Cross Blue Protect, in addition to DraftKings, FanDuel, the UMass Basis and others. These donations got here when DiZoglio was serving within the state Senate. She turned auditor in January 2023.
Beneath Massachusetts legislation, lobbyists can solely give a most of $200 per yr to candidates, however there is no such thing as a legislation stopping their spouses or family from giving the utmost $1,000.
So whereas the donations are authorized, in addition they are what critics name an “end run” across the legislation.
The Globe reported that lobbyists’ spouses and family have taken benefit of that loophole by funneling tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in giant donations to politicians like Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Legal professional Common Andrea Pleasure Campbell.
DiZoglio, whose arch nemeses Spilka and Home Speaker Ronald Mariano had been prominently talked about within the Globe story, didn’t reply to a request for remark from the Herald.
The Globe story additionally omitted Republicans like former Gov. Charles Baker and Senate Minority Chief Bruce Tarr.
Baker acquired a complete of $1,700 from Kathleen Stefanini, spouse of lobbyist Charles Stefanini, a complete of $4,100 from Donna Finneran, spouse of former Home speaker turned lobbyist Thomas Finneran, a complete of $4,000 from Julie Dempsey, spouse of lobbyist Brian Dempsey, and a complete of $2,500 from Ryan Dempsey, son of Brian and Julie Dempsey.
Kathleen Stefanini has given $600 to DiZoglio in 2022, 2018 and 2014, whereas she was within the Legislature, information present. Donna Finneran gave $200 to DiZoglio in 2021.
Different spouses of Beacon Hill energy brokers have additionally given to DiZoglio.
Ellen Meehan, on the time the spouse of UMass President Marty Meehan, gave a complete of $1,000 to DiZoglio from 2014 to 2022, in accordance with information. Marty Meehan is just not a registered lobbyist however is among the many most distinguished donors to legislative and state leaders, donating greater than $91,000, and gave $750 to DiZoglio in 2024, when she was the auditor, and $500 in 2022.
DiZoglio is now liable for auditing the UMass system.
Why did the Globe depart DiZoglio’s identify out of their expose, which ran every week earlier than the election? It’s particularly related now given the timing of Query One, which is a direct assault on the Legislature, and appears destined to cross.
Lawmakers like Spilka and Mariano deservedly take the brunt of the criticism for utilizing the authorized loophole across the $200 restrict.
However DiZoglio ought to take a look at herself, too. How about an audit of the auditor?
