2007 Press Releases

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on December 19, 2007, in which UMass-Lowell Pollster Louis DiNatale admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by consulting for private clients on matters related to and/or overlapping with UMass-Lowell polls. The Commission concluded its review of this matter with the issuance of a Public Enforcement Letter.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on December 19, 2007, in which Former Executive Office of Public Safety Employee Diana Brensilber Chidsey admitted violating the conflict law by repeatedly participating as an EOPS employee in EOPS grants that directly or indirectly impacted clients of the company where she and her husband were working as consultants. Chidsey agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on December 11, 2007 alleging that Revere Department of Public Works General Foreman Joseph Maglione solicited and accepted bribes for private water and/or sewer projects in Revere from employees. A public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.

The Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements on December 11, 2007, in which Revere Department of Public Works Foremen Randy Adamson and Anthony Giannino admitted violating the conflict law by paying bribes to DPW Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund General Foreman Joseph Maglione for private water and/or sewer projects in Revere and for receiving compensation for the private work. Each paid a $8,000 civil penalty.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued in an Order to Show Cause on December 5, 2007, alleging that Sandwich Planning Board Member Julie C. Molloy violated the conflict law by acting as an attorney for a private client before the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a special permit application in which she had participated as a Planning Board Member. A public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.

The Ethics Commission announced December 3, 2007, the appointment of Karen Nober as its new Executive Director.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on November 29, 2007, in which North Attleboro Planning Board Chairman Raymond Payson, admitted violating the conflict of interest law by participating in several decisions involving property abutting property owned by him and his brother. Payson payed a $5,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements on November 28, 2007, in which former North Reading Highway Department Employee James Murray, admitted violating the conflict law by receiving compensation for private work installing and testing water lines and former Water Department Employee Diego Nicolo admitted violating the law by receiving compensation for the same private work as well as using his official position to obtain private work. Murray paid a $750 civil penalty and Nicolo paid a $1,000 civil penalty.

The Commission's Enforcement Division, in an Order to Show Cause issued on November 5, 2007, alleges that former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello violated the conflict law by approving a change to the Turnpike's sick leave buyback policy.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on October 30, 2007, in which Medfield Building Inspector Walter Tortorici admitted to violating the law by applying for building permits and doing work in connection with those permits for private customers. Tortorici paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on October 25, 2007, in which Rutland Department of Public Works Supervisor Carl G. Christianson, Jr. admitted to violating the conflict law by participating in the hiring of his son without following standard hiring procedures and then attempting to cover up his actions. Christianson paid a $5,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements on October 24, 2007, in which Wellfleet Department of Public Works Director Mark Vincent and Assistant Director Kevin Cahoon admitted to violating the conflict law by using town equipment for private purposes. Both Vincent and Cahoon paid $500 civil penalties.

The Commission's Enforcement Division, in an Order to Show Cause issued on October 17, 2007, alleges that Rockland Conservation Commissioner Kenneth Karlson violated conflict law by receiving $10,000 as compensation for excavation work he had previously approved as a Conservation Commissioner.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on August 8, 2007, in which Westborough State Hospital Director of Maintenance and Engineering Francis Marchand admitted violating the conflict law by participating in the hiring of his brother-in-law as a carpenter. Marchand paid a $1,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on August 7, 2007, in which North Attleborough Electrical Inspector Paul LaFratta admitted violating the conflict of interest law by approving six permit applications sought by LaFratta Electric, Inc. a company owned by him and his son. LaFratta paid a $3,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on August 7, 2007, in which Lawrence Police Patrolman Albert Inostroza admitted violating the conflict of interest law by failing to promptly report that a friend's daughter had a gun. Inostroza paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on August 2, 2007, in which Hingham Recreation Commissioner Thomas Campbell admits violating the conflict law by repeatedly requiring that his daughter, a part-time seasonal employee of the Recreation Commission, be given additional hours. Campbell paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics CommIssion approved a Disposition Agreement on July 25, 2007, in which former Lowell Regional Water Utility Executive Director Edmund F. Tarmey admits violating the conflict law by acting on two contracts to purchase furniture from Allied Office Products, a company that employed his brother as a commissioned sales person. Tarmey paid a $2,500 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission, on July 11, 2007, approved a joint motion to dismisss charges that Abington Treasurer/Collector Paul Donlan violated the conflict law by completing forms that allowed Thomas Connolly, a former friend and Donlan's predecessor as Treasurer/Collector, to collect unemployment benefits.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on July 10, 2007, in which Massport Business Analysis Manager William Lynch admitted violating the conflict law by using his office and office equipment to operate a tax preparation business. Lynch paid a $7,000 civil penalty.

Cokinos was fined $2,000 for violating the conflict law by paying Rockland Conservation Commissioner Kenneth Karlson $10,000 for grading work that Karlson reviewed.

A public hearing was held at the Commission's office to hear comments on proposed regulations that will provide exemptions to certain sections of the conflict law.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on June 21, 2007, in which Leominster Director of Inspections Edward Cataldo admits to violating the conflict law for completing energy code audit reports for private clients. Cataldo paid a $3,000 civil penalty and a $300 civil forfeiture.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on June 19, 2007, in which Braintree Building Inspector Robert Galewski admits to violating the conflict of interest law by using subordinates and a vendor to perform private work for him. Galewski paid a $4,000 civil penalty and a $1,500 civil forfeiture.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on June 12, 2007, alleging that Hopkinton Conservation Commissioner Jack Speranza, violated the conflict of interest law. Speranza who also serves as a a member of the Hopkinton Community Preservation Committee violated the law by acting as a private attorney in a law suit against the town.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on May 23, 2007, alleging that Boston City Council Assistant Research Director Lincoln Smith violated the conflict law by invoking his city council position after a valet parking service denied damaging his car. A public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on May 14, 2007, in which MassHighway Civil Engineer Paul Hoey admits to violating the conflict law by participating in the promotion process where his son was one of the applicants. Hoey paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements on May 10, 2007, in which Lancaster Board of Health Chairman Shawn S. Winsor and Member Robert Baylis, admit to violating the conflict of interest law by authorizing payment to themselves for mowing the town's landfill. Winsor paid a $5,000 civil penalty and a $2,700 civil forfeiture. Baylis paid a $2,000 civil fine and a $1,800 civil forfeiture for the money he improperly received.

The Commission reported on May 3, 2007 that there has been a 98% compliance in meeting the filing requirements of the financial disclosure law.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on May 3, 2007 alleging that former Lowell Regional Water Utility Executive Director Edmund F. Tarmey violated the conflict law by awarding contracts to purchas furniture from a company that employed his brother as a commissioned sales person. A public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on May 2, 2007 alleging that former Quincy College Board of Governors Chair Theresa Lord Piatelli violated the conflict law by asking the College to hire her brother. A public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.

The Ethics Commission found reasonable cause on May 1, 2007 to believe that Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Employee David Aragona violated the conflict of interest law by attending meetings of the Board of State Examiners of Electricians while he was on MCCA time and receiving MCCA compensation. The Commission concluded its review of this matter with the issuance of a Public Enforcement Letter.

The Ethics Commission concluded public proceedings against Fripp by concluding on April 30, 2007, that the Enforcement Division did not prove its case and ordered the matter dismissed. Fripp was charged with illegally purchasing an affordable housing unit.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on April 26, 2007, in which Methuen Mayor Sharon Pollard admitted violating the conflict law by directing $200,000 in mitigation funds from Brooks Pharmacy to the Methuen Festival of Trees. The Festival of Trees is a non-profit founded by Pollard to benefit historic preservation in Methuen by restoring stone walls. Pollard paid a $4,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements on April 4, 2007, in which Beverly Mayor Thomas Crean and Former Purchasing Director Christopher Bradley each admitted to violating the conflict law by arranging for Crean's laptop computer to be declared surplus, then selling it to Crean for $100 before he left office. Crean paid a $1,000 fine and reimbursed the City of Beverly $500 for the computer. Bradley paid a civil penalty of $500.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on March 27, 2007, in which Nantucket County Sheriff Richard Bretschneider admitted violating the conflict of interest law by offering to purchase property from a person on whom he was serving an eviction notice. Bretschneider paid a $1,500 civil penalty.

The Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that Lincoln violated the conflict law by working as a full - time police officer while simultaneously working as the full-time Director of Security at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on March 1, 2007, alleging that Abington Treasurer/Collector Paul Donlan allegedly violated the conflict of interest law by completing and/or signing forms that allowed former Treasurer/Collector Thomas Connolly to collect unemployment benefits that he was not eligible to receive. A public hearing will be scheduled in 90 days.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on February 5, 2007, in which Provincetown Department of Public Works Director David Guertin admitted violating the conflict of interest law by improperly receiving free dockage for his sailboat. Guertin paid a $1,000 civil penalty and a $1,000 civil forfeiture.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on February 1, 2007, in which former Fitchburg City Councilor Matthew Straight admitted violating the conflict of interest law by participating in License Commission hearings on neighborhood bars. Straight owned 2% of a limited partnership created to own and manage an apartment building. In 2002, Straight received oral advice from the Commission that he could not participate as a city councilor in discussions that would affect his financial interest. Straight paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements on January 31, 2007, in which former Monson Selectman James Manning admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by receiving a free police pistol. Former Police chief Joseph Rebello admitted violating the conflict of interest law by issuing a police pistol to Manning because he felt threatened by a suspended police sergeant. Manning paid a $2,000 civil penalty and Rebello paid a $1,000 penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on January 30, 2007, in which Boston City Councilor Michael P. Ross admitted to violating the conflict of interest law for abusing his parking ticket privilege. Ross paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause on January 22, 2007, alleging that O'Toole approved payments totaling $1,118,750 to five police departments that were clients of the company that hired O'Toole after he resigned from EOPS. A public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.