Boston ups $60K city hall audit to $200K for second review

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is having another tax-payer funded investigation done to ensure no wrongdoing by City Hall.

It's the second investigation done by a former federal prosecutor, but is the money well spent?

FOX25 obtained a copy of the contract between Boston City Hall and the law firm employing the former federal prosecutor now investigating the Walsh administration.

It all comes at the request of Mayor Walsh.

So far, Boston taxpayers have shelled out $60,000 for an investigation of city hall.

The updated contract for another review limits the amount at $200,000.

Attorney Brian Kelly's first review found no evidence of illegal activities by a city employee.

Then months later, Ken Brissette, the head of the mayor's office of tourism, was indicted for extortion in a probe over alleged strong arm union tactics.

So is this second review a good use of taxpayer money?

"I think, number one, that it's good political optics. You want to be in front of an issue, particularly when it's one of corruption or potential malfeasance. It shows in this case that Mayor Walsh is on top of the matter," Boston University Political Historian Tom Whalen said.

But he adds a lot depends on the kind of access given to the person charged with performing that review, as opposed to what the U.S Attorney has at its disposal.

"What are they reviewing? What do they have that say the mayor's office doesn't have?" he said.

Right now, Brissette is out on leave, but he is still being paid by the city.

In a statement sent out when the mayor initially launched the review, his office says the review is meant to ensure the right internal protocols and policies are in place.

Cox Media Group