State Auditor Beth Wood said Thursday the North Carolina departments of Justice and Administration are failing to follow a 2010 law that requires big contracts to be read by a lawyer before they are signed.

 

The state government spends about $242 million a month on contracted services.

 

In written responses, Administration Secretary Moses Carey disagreed with the auditor's contention that 26 months is enough time to put a system in place to ensure the reviews occur.

 

Chief Deputy Attorney General Grayson Kelly said his agency is available to perform contract reviews when asked, but is not required to determine whether all contracts above the limit undergo review