"The audit found that most of these agencies lacked adequate policies regarding state employee settlement agreements. These 21 agencies, which include quasi-state agencies like Massport and a number of community colleges and state universities, entered into at least 263 settlement agreements during a period stretching from the beginning of 2019 through the end of 2024. About $6.8 million in taxpayer funds were used in these settlements, according to DiZoglio's office."
"Officials specifically singled out a $1.375 million settlement executed by Massport in 2022. Included in this settlement was a confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement that concealed allegations like "gender-based discrimination, disability-based discrimination, unequal pay, disparate treatment, and publishing false, damaging statements," according to DiZoglio's office. Massport and Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office improperly shared sensitive information about the audit with employees and retirees not involved in the audit, jeopardizing the integrity of the process, DiZoglio said at a press conference."
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio plans to sue the Massachusetts Port Authority, alleging the agency improperly withheld requested records. A broad audit examined settlement agreements across 21 state and quasi-state agencies and found most lacked adequate policies governing employee settlements. From 2019 through 2024 these agencies entered at least 263 settlement agreements costing about $6.8 million in taxpayer funds. Officials highlighted a $1.375 million Massport settlement in 2022 that included confidentiality and non-disparagement language concealing allegations of gender- and disability-based discrimination, unequal pay, disparate treatment, and false damaging statements. Massport and the Attorney General's office shared sensitive audit information with uninvolved employees and retirees, jeopardizing audit integrity.
Read at Boston.com
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