Probe of attorney general's office may be next

The Legislative Audit Commission will consider today whether to review allegations of possible improper conduct within the Minnesota attorney general's office.

The office, headed by Attorney General Lori Swanson, has been roiled by discontent for more than a year, with high turnover of lawyers amid complaints of low morale and an atmosphere of intimidation.

Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, a member of the audit commission, said Thursday that complaints that Swanson interfered with union organizing efforts and pressured subordinates into compromising situations prompted the panel to consider an inquiry.

Rest said the union grievances are better resolved by a court order or legislation, but that the ethical complaints might be eligible for evaluation by Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles.

"If someone is alleging there are things that are going on that are ... not ethical ... we'll have to see whether it's appropriate for the Legislative Auditor to act," Rest said. The panel will meet this morning.

Swanson spokesman Brian Bergson said he didn't know what Swanson's position was on an inquiry by the Audit Commission. Bergson said he had been unaware of the possible inquiry.

On Monday, Swanson wrote commission chairman Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, and said she was providing copies of letters about the office dispute that she has written to a state lawyer disciplinary panel, Nobles and others.

The Monday letter, which also went to DFL and Republican legislative leaders, implied that subordinates who have criticized Swanson's administration failed to obey professional rules requiring attorneys to report suspected unethical conduct to the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.

"The attorney organizers have not done so, but instead have made largely anonymous and conclusory allegations in the press and blogosphere," she wrote.

Assistant Attorney General Amy Lawler, who was active in union organizing, was put on paid leave after saying publicly that Swanson and her aides had pressured subordinates into compromising ethical situations.

Deputy Attorney General Karen Olson has defended the office's handling of cases Lawler mentioned and sought details supporting her complaints.

In response to complaints from union organizers, Swanson recently called the union efforts illegal and accused organizers of resorting to "shrill name-calling" because their efforts were failing.