May 13, 2009 11:03 pm US/Central
I-TEAM: Auditor OKs AG's Sound-Proof Doors
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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The Attorney General's Office spent $7500 each on two doors for Lori Swanson's private Capitol office, after a security risk assessment said she is vulnerable.
CBS
Security risks at the Minnesota Capitol are exactly why the auditor says a state leader was justified in spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on special office doors.
The I-TEAM first told you about the sound-proof doors at the Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson's office. At that time, her staff said they were for security but that's not what they are.
Whether the doors are being used for security or for soundproofing, the legislative auditor says it doesn't matter.
"We believe that the attorney general acted within her discretion and authority and followed proper procedures," said Minnesota Legislative Auditor James Noble.
Swanson got a free security assessment that recommended she put bulletproof doors on her private office. She spent $15,000 for two soundproof doors instead.
The I-TEAM tried to talk with the attorney general about the legislative auditor's report, about her security and about her sound-proof doors. But she refused the I-TEAM's request for an interview.
One senator said he still has questions the auditor did not address, including why Swanson used a private citizen to assess her risk and why she didn't warn anyone else.
"If you decide that there is a security risk to you, as the attorney general, so you do some things to protect yourself, but you don't tell anyone else about it, I think that raises some questions about why would you do that?" said Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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