Lawmakers launch probe into Minn. AG's fight with union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/210377-lawmakers-launch-probe-into-minn.-ags-fight-with-union

4/4/2008

by Rob Luke

ST. PAUL -- The state legislature is now probing the recent escalation of a long-simmering dispute between Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson and employees trying to join a powerful public-sector union.

The state's Legislative Auditor decided late last week to launch preliminary investigations into possible wrong-doing by Swanson's office over the campaign. A London-based labor advocacy group recently began a campaign against the AG's office over its activities, LNL reported recently.


Lori Swanson

In the year since Democrat Swanson took office as AG, more than a third of the approximately 135 assistant attorneys general have resigned or been dismissed, one source reported recently. The AAGs want to join the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a move Swanson opposes.

The Auditor will specifically examine allegations of legal and ethical violations in the AG's office made public by former employees in subsequent interviews and blogs. One claimed Swanson ordered her to find companies vulnerable to lawsuits on high-profile issues in her work.

Swanson's subsequent statement said she welcomed the announcement and looked forward to reading its findings but again lashed out at AFSCME tactics.