2010 Press Releases

The Ethics Commission's Enforcement Division filed an Order to Show Cause alleging that former Southampton Board of Health member Paul Truehart violated the conflict of interest law, G.L. c. 268A, by performing septic installation and repair work in Southampton which required Board approvals. Truehart was a Board member from 2008 to 2010.

The State Ethics Commission has concluded the adjudicatory matter involving City of Lynn Board of Health Sanitary Inspector Daniel Dean by approving a Disposition Agreement in which Dean admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, and agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty, and by dismissing the adjudicatory hearing.

The State Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Somerville Inspectional Services Department Building Inspector Gene Covington admitted to violating the conflict of interest law, G.L. c. 268A, by inspecting construction work performed at his home, by recommending the contractor who performed the work at his home to building permit applicants, and by issuing permits to and inspecting the work of the contractor with whom he had a private business relationship without disclosing that relationship. Pursuant to the agreement, Covington paid a $5,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Dighton Highway Department Superintendent Paul DeMoura admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by his actions in connection with the hiring of one son to a full-time DHD position, and by hiring another son and the son's girlfriend to seasonal snowplow driver positions. Pursuant to the Agreement, DeMoura paid a $1,000 civil penalty for the violations.

The State Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which state Department of Conservation and Recreation Chief Fire Warden David Celino admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, when he intervened in a hiring process to fill a DCR firefighter position while two of his friends were applicants for the position. Pursuant to the Agreement, Celino paid a $500 civil penalty.

The State Ethics Commission announced that Attorney General Martha Coakley has appointed Martin F. Murphy, a partner in the Boston law firm Foley Hoag, LLP to a five year term on the State Ethics Commission. Commissioner Murphy replaces Commissioner Jeanne M. Kempthorne, whose five year term has expired.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Sterling Fire Department Lieutenant Thomas Kokernak admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, in connection with the sale of leather emblem shields for fire department helmets to the Town of Sterling. Pursuant to the Agreement, Kokernak paid a $500 civil penalty and a $400 forfeiture of the profit realized from the sale of the products.

The State Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Town of Eastham Planning Board member Michael Cole admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law. Pursuant to the Agreement, Cole paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that State Auditor A. Joseph DeNucci violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by directing that subordinates hire his cousin for a position at the State Auditor's Office.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that Billerica Cemetery Foreman Joseph Turner violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by selling cemetery plots to family members in violation of town rules regarding the sale of plots.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that City of Lynn Board of Health Sanitary Inspector Daniel Dean violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by also serving as a constable appointed by the City's Mayor, and for performing Inspector duties at properties owned by private parties for whom he had performed constable services, without disclosing these instances to his appointing authority.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that City of Lynn Board of Health Sanitary Inspector Louis Picano violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by also serving as a constable appointed by the City's Mayor, and for performing Inspector duties at properties owned by private parties for whom he had performed constable services, without disclosing these instances to his appointing authority.

Former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Director of Toll Operations Robert Cole was found to have violated the financial disclosure law, G.L. c. 268B, by failing to timely file his 2008 Statement of Financial Interests. Cole was assessed a $250 civil penalty.

The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Town of Bolton Board of Selectmen member Curtis Plante admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by representing his private employer in dealings with the Town and by having a financial interest in a Town contract to construct a new public safety building. Plante agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty.

The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Winchendon Planning Board Member Guy Corbosiero admitted to violating the conflict of interest law in connection wtih actions he took in his capacity as a Planning Board Member to oppose the creation of affordable housing units on five properties in the Town, two of which abutted or were near his sister's home.

The State Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Springfield Finance Control Board Deputy Director Stephen Lisauskas admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law. Pursuant to the Agreement, Lisauskas paid a $3,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission concluded in a Decision and Order that Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto and Daniel Duquette each violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, in connection with Duquette's sale of 2004 World Series tickets to Ruberto. The Commission declined to impose civil penalties for the violations.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that former Belmont Council on Aging Home Care Coordinator Kathryn Christopher violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by coordinating services for an elderly COA client, and then selecting herself to provide those care services to the Client for compensation. The OTSC also alleges that Christopher violated the conflict law by accessing the Client's funds and assets to pay for Christopher's personal and family expenses and using such funds and assets for the benefit of Christopher and her family.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Mark Rivera, the former Lawrence School Department Urban Affairs Liaison and Special Assistant to the School Superintendent, admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by improperly using his position to repeatedly obtain unauthorized access to personal information that was not related to official school business. Pursuant to the Agreement, Rivera agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Hanson Council on Aging Director of Elder Affairs Jean-Marie Smith admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by, in her private capacity, managing the financial affairs of an elderly COA client. Pursuant to the Agreement, Smith paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

The Ethics Commission has concluded an adjudicatory proceeding involving former Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Fiscal Officer Elizabeth Story by approving a Disposition Agreement in which Story admitted to violating G.L. c. 268B, the financial disclosure law, and by dismissing the adjudicatory hearing. Pursuant to the Agreement, Story paid a $500 civil penalty.

The State Ethics Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that former Quincy College Board of Governors Chair Theresa Lord Piatelli violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by contacting the Quincy College president in matters involving Piatelli's family members. The Commission imposed a $4,000 civil penalty.

In a Decision and Order, the State Ethics Commission determined that Town of Harvard School Superintendent Thomas Jefferson ("Jefferson") and former Harvard School Committee member Paul Wormser ("Wormser") each violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law. The Commission found that Jefferson and Wormser circumvented established procedures, enabling Wormser to receive $30,000 from the Harvard public schools as reimbursement for the costs of his child's private school tuition. The Commission also found that both Jefferson and Wormser failed to make required disclosures. Both were assessed civil penalties of $4,000.

In a Final Order, the Ethics Commission concluded the adjudicatory proceedings involving former Plymouth County Sheriff's Department Fleet Supervisor Daniel Rowan by approving a Disposition Agreement in which Rowan admits to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, and by dismissing the adjudicatory proceedings.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued an Order to Show Cause alleging that Montvale Solutions, LLC principal Joseph P. Lally, Jr. violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by offering jobs and/or career assistance to two key state employees while seeking to obtain a multi-million dollar state contract to provide performance management software. The OTSC alleges that by offering jobs and/or career assistance, Lally attempted to bribe and/or offer illegal gratuities to the state employees.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Plymouth Development Corporation board of directors member Jeffrey Fischer admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law. Fischer paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

A School Committee member voted to approve a request by the school superintendent to create a Special Assistant to the Superintendent position. At the time of such votes, she knew that the superintendent planned to appoint her brother to the new position, and that the new position would include a pay increase.

The Ethics Commission approved a disposition agreement in which Palmer Public Schools Director of Food Services Susan Bailey admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law. Pursuant to the Agreement, Bailey paid a $2,000 civil penalty and made restitution to the PPS in the amount of $900, representing the value of the items she took for her personal use.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued two Orders to Show Cause alleging that former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Director of Toll Operations Robert Cole and former Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Fiscal Officer Elizabeth Story each violated General Laws Chapter 268B, the Financial Disclosure Law, by failing to timely file their respective Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2008.

The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement on December 18, 2009, in which Norfolk County Sheriff's Office Correction Officer Brian Laumann admitted to violating Sections 23(b)(2) and 23(b)(3) of G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law. Laumann agreed to pay a $6,000 civil penalty.

Order to Show Cause issued alleging violations of G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by former Plymouth County Sheriff's Department Deputy Sheriff Daniel Rowan