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	Contract for Diocese Audits Is Approved By Garry Rayno The Union Leader [New Hampshire] May 19, 2005 CONCORD — The Executive Council yesterday approved a contract to perform long-stalled audits of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. Annual audits are part of a 2002 agreement between the attorney general and the diocese to avoid criminal prosecution under the state's child endangerment statutes. Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said the audit is needed to ensure the church has a policy in place that protects children. "This is a very important matter," she told the council. The extent of the four annual audits and who would pay for them was litigated in Hillsborough County Superior Court. In March, Judge Carol A. Conboy ruled the state and the diocese should split the cost of the audits. She also ruled the state could evaluate the effectiveness of the diocese's child protection policies without threatening the church's First Amendment or due process rights. "This is the only time this has happened in the entire country," Ayotte said about the agreement. "The audit will determine if the policies are working. The focus will be on if allegations of sexual abuse are properly reported and properly handled." Diocesan Chancellor Diane Murphy Quinlan said, "The diocese continues to cooperate with the office of attorney general in all aspects of the agreement, including reporting all complaints and proceeding with the compliance audit." The $445,000 contract is with KPMG, LLP (Forensic) of Boston. The council approved the state's cost share: $222,500. Ayotte said her office contacted local auditing firms, but none had the relevant experience to conduct the audit. The Attorney General's Office then turned to large auditing firms in the Boston area before settling on KPMG. Ayotte said the audits will include interviews with diocesan personnel and leadership, an analysis of whether the diocese has adequate policies and procedures in place to comply with the agreement, and a survey designed to assess the effectiveness of the diocese's compliance program. Ayotte said she believes the audits will move forward with little if any further litigation.
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