The Denver Post: Colorado Auditor Dianne Ray said her office will investigate allegations that a $2.5 million dollar Judicial Department contract was given to a former employee who threatened to file a tell-all sexual discrimination lawsuit if she was fired.

Ray confirmed the information after House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, told The Denver Post the auditor will fold the inquiry into a broader fraud investigation that office has been conducting of the department since mid-2019.

Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, on Friday called the allegations “astonishing” and said  discussions are underway over how to ensure “total accountability, total transparency” in an inquiry, including any by the Legislature.

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