Frequently asked questions.

The Local Government Accountability Inc is a nonpartisan research organization that conducts forensic analysis of local government finances. We examine public records to help citizens understand how their tax dollars are being managed.

No. LGAI begins every project without political assumptions. We follow the facts wherever they lead. When the public record shows clear patterns of poor financial stewardship or conflicts of interest, we report those findings directly. While we never endorse candidates or engage in campaign activity, our findings can implicitly reflect on the performance of incumbents and the platforms of challengers. We are not a Super PAC and do not tell citizens how to vote — we raise awareness so they can make informed decisions.

No. We do not endorse candidates, run political ads, or engage in campaign activity. Our role is to provide clear, fact-based research so citizens can make their own informed decisions.

Projects are typically initiated by citizen requests or concerns about local spending, debt, or governance. We prioritize based on the strength of the public record and potential impact for residents.

We keep individual identities in the background because our credibility comes from the rigor of our research and the transparency of our methodology — not from personalities. Our team includes professionals with experience in finance, law, data analysis, and public policy who share a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

We take extensive public records (often hundreds of pages) and distill them into clear, verifiable findings with direct links to the original source documents (meeting minutes, budgets, audits, etc.). Our goal is to make important information accessible to everyday citizens.

No. We are researchers and analysts. We produce factual, sourced research — not news articles. Our work is built on primary public records and a published methodology that any reader can review and verify.

LGAI is funded by private contributions from individuals and foundations that support nonpartisan government-accountability research. We do not accept funding from candidates, political parties, government contracts, or advertisers. As a 501(c)(4) organization, contributions are not tax-deductible.

To support our work, visit Support Our Work.

Yes. LGAI follows a documented Subject Notification protocol before publication.

For findings drawn entirely from audited public records — budgets, vote records, meeting minutes, official compensation, contracts on file — the public record is the basis of publication.

For findings that characterize an official’s conduct, intent, or relationships beyond what the record literally states, we provide written notice with the specific claim and its underlying source, and review in good faith any factual correction submitted.

For findings that connect evidence across records to allege a course of conduct, the notification window is longer, the individual receives an itemized description of the supporting evidence, and we review any contextual records provided.

If no response is received within the notification window, the finding is published with a note stating that notice was given. Our full Editorial Standards and Subject Notification Policy is at Editorial Standards.

Every factual claim is sourced to a primary public document. Our methodology is published in the Six-Pillar Audit Framework, and our editorial standards describe how investigations are reviewed before publication.

If we identify an error, we correct it publicly and explain what changed.

A 501(c)(4) is a social welfare organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Unlike a 501(c)(3) charity, contributions are not tax-deductible, but the organization has broader latitude to engage in public education and civic engagement. LGAI chose this structure to preserve editorial independence.

We maintain a public corrections process. When a material factual error is identified, we correct it promptly, document what changed, and do not silently delete prior versions. Our commitment is not that we will never be wrong — it is that we will be visibly and promptly accountable when we are.

LGAI is funded by private contributions from individuals and foundations that support nonpartisan accountability research. We do not accept funding from government entities, political parties, candidate committees, or political action committees.

Donor lists are not published as a matter of course. As a 501(c)(4) organization, we are not required to disclose individual donors, and publication could discourage support for independent oversight work. Editorial decisions are structurally independent: donors have no advance knowledge of investigations, no role in selecting subjects, and no editorial control.

Our conflict-of-interest and editorial independence policy is published at Editorial Standards.

LGAI publishes factual research based on primary public records. We do not endorse candidates, coordinate with campaigns, or direct how third parties use our findings.

Once published, our work becomes part of the public record. Candidates, journalists, and citizens may cite or reference our publications under standard principles of fair use and public-records reporting.

How a third party frames or amplifies our work beyond what we have published is that party’s responsibility. Our full policy on third-party use is in Editorial Standards.