Questions about former attorney general and Republican Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte's failure to investigate a massive fraud case didn't end when her previously-missing emails were released. Financial Resources Mortgage continues to be very much in the news, and Ayotte with it:
The owners of the companies are facing federal charges, a bankruptcy court is trying to track down money owed to investors, and New Hampshire lawmakers are examining how the firm was allowed to continue operating by state regulators.
The chairwoman of the legislative panel confirmed Thursday that Ayotte will be called to testify. The attorney general's office released a report recently that said its office, the Banking Department and securities regulators could have taken action against FRM.
"It seems because she was in charge of that department for a critical time period, that it's the sensible thing to do," said Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter.
Ayotte sent a letter to the committee saying that she would appear to answer its questions.
"Although I did not have personal involvement in this matter, to the extent I may be helpful, I wish to accept your invitation to appear before the committee," Ayotte wrote.
That makes her strategy pretty clear: Minimize, minimize, minimize. "Who, me? I was just the attorney general at the time. No clue what you think I might be able to contribute."
Of course, the inconvenient fact is that her lack of personal involvement in this matter may be exactly what's at issue, since what's being investigated is why no one took action to shut down FRM earlier.