MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama investigators looked into whether the recent deal to publish Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” sequel involved financial fraud, but they have closed the inquiry, a state official said Thursday.
Alabama Securities Commission Director Joseph Borg said his agency sent an investigator to speak with Lee at the request of the Alabama Department of Human Resources. Borg said the department, which handles complaints of elder abuse, asked his investigators to look into the situation because of their expertise in financial matters.
“Let’s just say that she was able to answer questions we asked to our satisfaction from our point of view,” Borg said.
The news that the 88-year-old author would publish a second book prompted speculation over whether she is capable of giving consent to the publication.
A high-ranking state official said the Department of Human Resources began an investigation into Lee’s treatment following news that her second novel,”Go Set a Watchman,” would be released. It’s unclear whether that investigation entails anything beyond the interview the commission employees did with Lee.
