State auditor needs his own auditor

Our North Carolina state auditor needs to have his own auditor. State ethics laws say public officials should not use their positions to promote their private business. This also indicates Les is working on the state payroll on taxpayer dollars and has other interests that could distract him from his state work. Way to go Les!

In the March 14, 2007 News and Observer...

News and Observer
March 14, 2007
Dan Kane, Jane Ruffin and Ryan Teague Beckwith, Staff Writers

State auditor's news release needed an auditor

State Auditor Les Merritt spends his days setting state agencies straight on how to operate within the law. But Merritt acknowledged a blind spot, ethically speaking, when a news release published Tuesday about his private business also touted his state position.
The news release announced that Merritt and his son are working for a Raleigh-based financial consultant, providing retirement investment services.

"State Auditor and Son Collaborate to Provide Financial Services to Eastern Wake County," the release announced. Merritt is identified as the state auditor in the first sentence, and his success as the first Republican challenger to defeat a Democratic incumbent state auditor is featured in a section entitled "About Les Merritt." Read more...