The State Comptroller’s office has now filed a lawsuit against Hudson County, intensifying the ongoing conflict between the state’s watchdog and the county government over how it awards contracts.

The New Jersey Comptroller is seeking to block Hudson County from moving forward with a $13.5 million health care contract at the county jail. An investigation by the comptroller found the county violated state law by not putting the contract out for the public bid, despite warnings dating back to March.

“In an unprecedented disregard for the rule of law, Defendant County of Hudson has continuously and repeatedly refused to comply with written directives from the Office of the State Comptroller not to proceed with the procurement of a contract for certain medical health care management services at the Hudson County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center valued at greater than $13,000,000,” wrote acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh in a court filing on Wednesday.

Hudson County representatives dispute the comptroller’s investigation, saying the health care contracts can’t go out for bidding like other public deals. The watchdog group itself has also been the target of criticism following the comptroller’s directive and separate scathing reports of misconduct and waste in three other counties. Local officials across the state have called for an investigation into the watchdog agency, claiming it needs more oversight.