Hello, my name is Judy Leary-Wagner, and I am the Democratic Auditor of Pike County, Pennsylvania.

In September 2024, just hours after I questioned a county expenditure of over $125,000 that lacked proper documentation, the Pike County Commissioners issued a directive stating that no document requests from the Auditors would be honored unless signed by two Auditors.

That directive changed everything. It effectively blocks any one Auditor — especially a minority Auditor — from independently reviewing county spending. This restriction undermines checks and balances and threatens every taxpayer’s right to transparency.

In Pennsylvania, voters elect three county Auditors, but each voter may only vote for two candidates. That structure helps promote balance and independent oversight, ensuring no one group can dominate financial review.

To be clear, no document requests have been submitted that were signed by two Auditors. One of the majority (Republican) Auditors has been collecting documents without any such dual authorization. This selective enforcement shows the directive was not about efficiency or fairness — it was about control. It appears the majority wants a way to prevent me from obtaining records they would prefer I not see. It effectively silences one elected watchdog and denies taxpayers an independent voice.

As Auditors, we swear an oath to obey the law and safeguard public money. The Pennsylvania County Code gives Commissioners no authority to impose restrictions on elected Auditors. Allowing this directive to stand would set a dangerous precedent — one that lets those in power limit oversight whenever it becomes inconvenient.

I filed a legal challenge to defend not just my rights but the integrity of all county Auditors. Without independence, oversight becomes meaningless.

In a lower court hearing that was intended only to address preliminary objections — not the substance of my legal action — a ruling was improperly issued, leaving the main legal issues unanswered. Misleading information was presented to the court, and I was never given an opportunity to respond. That is one of the key reasons I am now appealing the decision, with new legal representation.

This case is about preserving the public’s right to transparent, accountable government. When oversight is weakened, misuse of public money can go unnoticed and uncorrected.

I have funded this legal action out of my own pocket because I believe deeply in transparency and open government. I am a widow, I work two jobs, and I’m raising two wonderful children, ages 18 and 17, both on the autism spectrum. Despite these challenges, I’ve already spent thousands of dollars in legal fees — because this fight matters to every taxpayer who deserves to know how their money is being spent.

The implications of this case reach far beyond Pike County. It could determine whether local officials across Pennsylvania can block elected Auditors from doing their jobs. If this precedent stands, any minority Auditor — and the taxpayers they represent — could be shut out of oversight entirely.

Your support will help protect transparency, fairness, and accountability for all. Every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure that taxpayer oversight remains independent and that no one in government can silence lawful scrutiny.

Thank you for standing with me to defend open government and the public trust.

— Judy Leary-Wagner

Pike County Auditor