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Massachusetts Attorney General Faces Scrutiny Over Paris Trip

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is under scrutiny following her attendance at a conference in Paris from July 29 to August 3, 2024, funded by state taxpayers. The total cost of the trip, which included additional travel to Brussels and Normandy, amounted to $13,627. This figure has raised questions regarding the appropriateness of such expenses, particularly as there was little transparency surrounding the trip’s agenda and attendees.

The conference was co-sponsored by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), a nonprofit organization supported by corporate donations. Notably, major contributors to AGA include Amazon and Pfizer, each donating $500,000 in 2021. This financial backing allows lobbyists from these companies to attend the conference, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest for the attorneys general present.

There was no official announcement from Campbell regarding her attendance, nor was there any information available about the conference’s agenda or outcomes. The lack of communication has led to speculation that the event may have resembled a junket rather than a substantive professional gathering. Christopher Toth, a former executive director of NAAG, noted that lobbyists often finance such trips, allowing attorneys general to avoid direct criticism for accepting donations.

Records obtained by the Boston Herald indicate that while $9,000 of the trip’s expenses were allocated for transportation through a high-end chauffeur service, there was no detailed invoice for accommodations or meals. This raises further questions about whether these additional expenses were covered by lobbyist contributions to AGA.

The revelation of Campbell’s trip coincided with an analysis of her taxpayer-funded credit card expenses, which totaled approximately $300,000 for the last fiscal year. These procurement cards, often referred to as P-cards, have previously faced scrutiny for potential misuse among state officials. While there is no evidence suggesting that Campbell misused her card during this trip, transparency regarding these expenses remains a concern for taxpayers.

Campbell, who previously served as a city councilor in Boston and ran unsuccessfully for mayor, campaigned on a platform of accountability and transparency. As she prepares for reelection, the public’s demand for clarity regarding her expenditures is likely to increase. The trip to Paris has also drawn attention to her collaboration with the Democratic establishment in Massachusetts, particularly her efforts to block state Auditor Diana DiZoglio‘s attempt to audit the Democrat-controlled legislature. This move came despite a public referendum that saw 72% support for the audit.

In a related development, the Massachusetts Legislature provided Campbell with a significant budget increase of $7 million to fund her “anti-Trump unit,” which continues to pursue legal action against former President Donald Trump. This funding decision has led to further scrutiny of Campbell’s priorities as attorney general.

As the situation unfolds, the public is left questioning the balance between professional responsibilities and the use of taxpayer funds. Campbell’s future actions and transparency regarding her office’s expenditures will be closely monitored in the months leading up to the next election.

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