Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has released a scathing report accusing Democrat Governor Maura Healey of unlawfully using no-bid contracts to fund her administration’s expansive free housing program for migrants. The audit points to political favoritism, financial mismanagement, and a lack of transparency, all contributing to wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.
According to the report, Healey’s office bypassed standard competitive bidding processes, awarding contracts to vendors without proper oversight. Some of those contracts reportedly went to political allies, including Spinelli Ravioli, a campaign donor that received a $9.4 million contract to provide food services. That company later faced complaints for allegedly delivering undercooked and inedible meals to migrants.
“The no-bid contracts resulted in unnecessarily high costs and inefficiencies,” the report states. DiZoglio emphasized that the process lacked administrative oversight and transparency, which damaged public trust. “This is an opportunity for the administration to reevaluate how it can and must be a more responsible steward of its significant authorities during states of emergency,” she said.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve criticized Healey’s mismanagement, pointing to luxury cab fares, inflated food bills, and sweetheart deals handed out to politically connected vendors. “Where do we go to get our money back from these pricey no-bid contracts?” Shortsleeve asked.
Despite recent public relations efforts to announce the closure of state-funded migrant hotels, critics note that the Healey administration is simply shifting migrants into a taxpayer-funded private housing program. These programs often provide tens of thousands of dollars in free rent and furniture allowances, further burdening taxpayers and driving up housing costs for local residents.
The audit adds fuel to growing concerns that the administration’s handling of the migrant crisis prioritizes political connections over fiscal responsibility and fairness.
