Republican lawmakers moved Monday to give Gov. Kelly Ayotte the authority to hire and fire the administrator who oversees settlements with victims abused at the former youth detention center. The power lies currently with the state Supreme Court.

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee did not publicly disclose reasons for the proposed change during a meeting Monday. But they recently requested the settlement fund be audited after Attorney General John Formella questioned decisions by the current administrator, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick.

The audit found that Broderick and his staff are following the Youth Development Settlement Fund rules approved by Formella and lawmakers.

Neither Broderick nor Ayotte could be immediately reached for comment.

Brod

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