Should taxpayer dollars pay for non-disclosure agreements?

BOSTON — Lawmakers are calling on the state auditor to investigate the use of taxpayer funds settlement cases involving state offices or public officials.

Non-disclosure agreements waive a victim’s right to publicly speak about an alleged incident or file lawsuits. A bill filed by Sen. Dianna DiZoglio (D-Methuen) and Abington Republican Rep. Alyson Sullivan (R-Abington) would ban the use of tax-payer dollars in state non-disclosure settlements.

"We’re trying to shine a light on the fact that we shouldn’t be in a business of silencing anybody, especially with tax-payers' dollars," Rep. Sullivan said.

The lawmakers also want the auditor’s office to compile a report with the number of settlements and the amount spent, going back at least five years.

Late Monday afternoon, auditor Suzanne Bump told Boston 25 News she agrees that non-disclosure agreements should not be used to buy the silence of abuse victims but "it is not feasible for the office to undertake this type of investigation at this time...due to the scope of the information they’d need to compile."

"Elected officials have been using your public tax dollars to pay for their hush agreements which cover up all sorts of harassment and other abuse," DiZoglio said. "I think the policy is filled with loopholes."

The use of non-disclosure agreements had been passed in the senate, but are still used in the house and to settle claims in the Governor's office.

"We would never agree to sign an NDA that didn’t come directly from the victim," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "I do believe the victim should be allowed to have the opportunity to seek an NDA if they think that’s in their best interest."

Speaker DeLeo’s office reported 33 non-disclosure agreements used since 2010.

Cox Media Group