Mar 31, 2009 10:53 pm US/Central
I-TEAM: Spending On Government Office Makeovers
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
Attorney General Lori Swanson announces all the big cases the state is pursuing in a conference room at the Minnesota State Capitol. It isn't fancy -- one wall is filled with the photos of all the previous Minnesota attorneys general.
What most of people never see is the office where the attorney general actually works in the Capitol. It's behind the main reception area away from public view.
And, at taxpayer's expense, nearly $400,000 of repairs and alterations have been done since 2006 at the attorney general's office at the Capitol and at offices in downtown St. Paul.
Among the items, WCCO's I-TEAM has obtained documents showing $15,000 for two doors.
These aren't run-of-the-mill doors. They are special-order, soundproofed doors; 1-3/8-inch acoustical doors. They were special-ordered and custom-finished to match the white oak woodwork in the office.
The attorney general has refused to talk with the I-TEAM about the $15,000 doors. But it's worth noting that none of the previous 28 attorneys general needed sound proofing protection. Even the governor of Minnesota, who works across the hall from the attorney general, doesn't have soundproof doors on his office.
A spokesman for the attorney general's office said the new doors are for security.
"They are heavy-duty, locked, sand-reinforced doors for security purposes," said the spokesperson.
But that's not what the door documents say. According to documents, the doors are "sound-attenuating," in other words, soundproof – not security.
And the original handles and hinges were reattached.
Swanson allowed the I-TEAM to show you the doors and a specially-made carpet in her office.
The bill for that carpet was nearly $6,000 not including the extra cost for weekend installation and a specially-made inset of the Minnesota state seal. It had to be stitched into the carpet.
Much of the remodeling work, including the carpet, was ordered by Swanson's predecessor, Mike Hatch.
Hatch ran for governor, and lost, in 2006. He ordered the special carpet just weeks after losing the election in November and just before Swanson took office.
According to Minnesota Management and Budget, nearly $250,000 in repairs and alterations were made to the attorney general's offices from July 2006 to July 2007.
Hatch ordered the renovations even though he was leaving office. And remember that wall of portraits in the conference room? An inexpensive, unexplained change. All of the pictures that were once in color are now black and white, except the photos of Hatch and Swanson.
Update, April 14: Black and white portraits of Hatch and Swanson are now on display. Swanson ordered the change.
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