2017 State Ethics Commission Press Releases

State Ethics Commission press releases for 2017

• Ethics Commission Issues Public Education Letter to Wayland High School Head Football Coach Scott Parseghian
  The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Scott Parseghian, the Wayland High School Head Football Coach to resolve allegations that Mr. Parseghian violated several sections of the conflict of interest law by making purchases of athletic apparel for Wayland High School sports teams from his father’s businesses, and by representing those businesses in merchandise purchases by other Wayland High School teams, clubs and departments.

• Ethics Commission Issues Public Education Letter to Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Teacher Richard Puccini
  The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School carpentry instructor Richard Puccini to resolve allegations that Mr. Puccini violated the conflict of interest law by contracting with the school to provide it with architectural design services.

• Former Bourne Planning Board Member Vincent Michienzi, Sr. Pays $5,000 Civil Penalty for Conflict of Interest Law Violation
  The Commission has approved a Disposition Agreement in which Vincent Michienzi, Sr., admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by voting as a member of the Bourne Planning Board to approve a special permit for one of his commercial tenants and paid a $5,000 civil penalty.

• Ethics Commission Cites Barnstable DPW Architect Keith Mackenzie-Betty for Conflict of Interest Law Violations; Imposes $8,000 Civil Penalty
  The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Keith Mackenzie-Betty, a Town of Barnstable Department of Public Works building design architect, admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by using his DPW position to obtain free inmate labor to install a new roof on his home. The agreement requires Mackenzie-Betty to pay an $8,000 civil penalty for the violation.

• Ethics Commission Finds That Former Stoughton Town Moderator Howard Hansen Violated the Conflict of Interest Law
  The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that former Town of Stoughton Moderator Howard Hansen violated several sections of the conflict of interest law by directing Town business to Hansen Brothers Printing Co., a company he owned as the sole proprietor, and ordering Hansen to pay a $4,000 civil penalty. 

• Ethics Commission Issues Public Education Letter to Department of Developmental Services Employee Vicki Banas
  The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Department of Developmental Services (DDS) employee Vicki Banas to resolve allegations that Ms. Banas violated the conflict of interest law.  Ms. Banas, while a DDS Program Manager in the DDS Central/West Region, solicited quotes and approved work performed at DDS facilities by a company owned by a family member and another company owned by a close family friend.

• Ethics Commission Issues Public Education Letter to Southern Essex District Registrar of Deeds John O’Brien
  The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Southern Essex District Registrar of Deeds John L. O’Brien, Jr. to resolve allegations that Mr. O’Brien violated section 23 of the conflict of interest law by using his position as Registrar to obtain the home addresses of Registry employees for his campaign committee mailing list, disclosed the addresses to his campaign committee, and, through his campaign committee, solicited campaign donations from Registry employees. 

• Commission Appoints New Executive Director
  Commission Appoints David A. Wilson as the Executive Director