BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - An investigation has found no wrongdoing of an agency that allegedly violated state law on contract bidding.
North Dakota Auditor Joshua Gallion released a report last year that said the Department of Commerce violated the law on bidding uncompetitive contracts for the state’s “Be Legendary” logo and associated “rebranding” effort for the state.
The agency promotes tourism and economic development in North Dakota.
The logo sparked criticism when the contract for it was awarded to a Minnesota firm headed by a woman who once worked for Gov. Doug Burgum’s old Fargo software business.
Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer says in a letter to Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem that she did not find “any violations of criminal law” by the agency or its employees.
Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said it was a great day for her agency, but also sad because there was nothing in the audit report that warranted what she called wasteful scrutiny.
Gallion said he stands behind the audit. He said when his office finds “potential violations of law” it is required to inform the state attorney general’s office for a potential investigation “and that’s what we did.”
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