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Above, International Place, where the CEK Boston* Law Firm is based.
In what it called "a stunning display of secrecy and disregard for the will of the people," the Massachusetts House of Representatives has quietly retained the law firm CEK Boston to assist in its fight against Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s effort to audit the legislature, according to a statement provided by Mass Fiscal Alliance. The news release noted that Speaker Mariano’s latest move comes after voters overwhelmingly approved Question 1 in November, yet taxpayers are now being forced to fund a legal battle against their own decision.
According to a report by Chris Faraone at the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism (BINJ), the House issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for legal services—behind closed doors and without public transparency—well before the voter-approved law even took effect. Sealed bids were due on January 3, and House Speaker Ron Mariano’s office confirmed late Sunday that CEK Boston had been retained.
“The reason for the Speaker’s stalling on this issue for months is now clear— he was secretly moving to hire an outside firm to find ways to avoid complying with the voter-approved law," stated Paul Diego Craney, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. Instead of simply following the will of the voters, "they are using taxpayer dollars to defend their own secrecy, shield themselves from accountability, and undermine the will of the people with their own tax dollars," he continued. Attorney General Andrea Campbell has a duty to uphold the law and bring the legislature to court, he said. "The voters made their will clear, and it’s time for our state’s top law enforcement official to enforce it,” stated Craney.
Despite the House’s actions, Attorney General Campbell has yet to take decisive action on the matter. Her office has remained silent, failing to respond to media inquiries about whether she will step in and uphold the integrity of the voter-approved law.
The continued delay only emboldens legislative leaders in their refusal to comply with transparency measures, Craney argued.
“The Attorney General continues to dither on the matter and hide behind a supposed “process,” but it’s clear the House has been pursuing a legal route for months now. Do they know something about the Attorney General’s intentions that taxpayers don’t? It’s time for her to answer what exactly this process is and when taxpayers can expect her to come to their defense. When it comes to taking action against the federal government, her office seems to have no issues with process and can move in a matter of hours,” noted Craney.
The hiring of CEK Boston by the House, a firm led by former First Assistant Attorney General Thomas Kiley who has deep ties to Massachusetts political circles. Kiley is also affiliated with TSK Associates, a firm headed by former Senate President Robert Travaglini, underscoring the web of insider influence protecting Beacon Hill’s entrenched interests.
“This is a blatant misuse of power and public resources. Legislators are using taxpayer dollars to shield themselves from transparency mandated by those same taxpayers by an overwhelming margin, rather than respecting the will of the people. This is precisely why Question 1 was passed—to put an end to these types of backroom shenanigans,” noted Craney.
The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, which actively supported Question 1 and has long been committed to government transparency, is exploring legal options to ensure that the legislature complies with the voter mandate. The organization calls on Attorney General Campbell to act swiftly and decisively in favor of the voters and taxpayers of Massachusetts.
“The time for waiting is over. The Attorney General must stop equivocating for political reasons and enforce the law to hold the legislature accountable. Voters demanded transparency, and they deserve nothing less,” added Craney.
* The CEK Law firm is described on its website, as follows:
Those with matters at the intersection of law and government turn to the judgment, experience, and expertise of the lawyers of CEK Boston. Led by former First Assistant Attorney General Tom Kiley, CEK Boston provides representation and counsel to public officials, governmental bodies, and private entities on all matters involving administrative law and governmental operations. CEK Boston also defends individuals in a wide-range of cases, including white-collar crime, bar discipline, ethics, and campaign finance violations. Zealous and effective advocacy, together with practical advice gained from decades of experience, are what clients know they'll get from CEK Boston.
