- Merita A. Hopkins named new Chair of State Ethics Commission
The Honorable Merita A. Hopkins (ret.), formerly an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to the State Ethics Commission and designated as Chair. Chair Hopkins succeeds former Commission Chair Margot Botsford. - Former DOC Employee Raymond Turcotte pays $35,000 for Violating Conflict of Interest Law
Raymond Turcotte, former Department of Correction (DOC) Director of Special Operations, has paid a $35,000 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law multiple times. The State Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Turcotte admitted to the violations, including using DOC equipment for personal purposes, providing DOC job interview questions to his daughter prior to her job interview with the agency, and giving DOC ammunition to his girlfriend. Additionally, Turcotte admitted to requesting and receiving pay for hours he did not work. By entering into the Disposition Agreement Turcotte waived his right to a public hearing. - State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division Alleges Former Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria Violated Conflict of Interest Law
The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause today alleging that former Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria violated the conflict of interest law by improperly receiving longevity payments and concealing some of the payments. By filing the Order, the Enforcement Division initiated an adjudicatory proceeding against DeMaria. - State Ethics Commission Finds Townsend Water Department Superintendent David Vigeant Violated Conflict of Interest Law
The State Ethics Commission has issued a Decision and Order finding that Townsend Water Department Superintendent David Vigeant twice violated the conflict of interest law by providing the plans for a town water main project to a local business owner, Gary Shepherd, and to an employee of one of his companies before the project went out to bid. Shepherd’s business was subsequently the low bidder and was awarded the $4.7 million contract for the project. The Decision and Order orders Vigeant to pay a total of $10,000 in civil penalties. - State Ethics Commission's Enforcement Division Alleges Clinton Fire Chief Michael Lutes Violated Conflict of Interest Law
The State Ethics Commission's Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause yesterday alleging that Clinton Fire Chief Michael Lutes violated the conflict of interest law in relation to his supervision of his two sons, who are Clinton firefighters. The Order alleges Lutes violated the law through his handling of complaints about one of his sons, by assigning that son training and duties that increased his opportunities to earn overtime pay, and by repeatedly approving the department payroll that included both of his sons' salaries. By filing the Order, the Enforcement Division initiated an adjudicatory proceeding against Lutes. - State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division Alleges Former Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley Violated Conflict of Interest Law
The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause today alleging that former Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley violated the conflict of interest law. The Order alleges that while serving as a city councilor, Bartley represented private parties in real estate matters involving the city and failed to comply with the law’s mandatory training and education requirements. By filing the Order, the Enforcement Division initiated an adjudicatory proceeding against Bartley. - State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division Alleges Former Barre DPW Superintendent Jason Pimental Violated Conflict of Interest Law
The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division issued an Order to Show Cause today alleging that former Barre Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Jason Pimental violated the conflict of interest law by working hundreds of paid hours for the state Department of Fire Services (DFS) during his paid Town of Barre work hours, by submitting timesheets that falsely claimed he was working for the town during these hours, and through other actions. By filing the Order, the Enforcement Division has initiated an adjudicatory proceeding against Pimental. - Former Gloucester Harbormaster Thomas Ciarametaro Jr. pays $16,200 for Violating Conflict of Interest Law
Former Gloucester Harbormaster Thomas Ciarametaro Jr. has paid a $15,000 civil penalty and $1,200 in restitution for violating the conflict of interest law by having a subordinate city employee complete his Endicott College coursework which Ciarametaro submitted as his own work for course credit toward a bachelor’s degree. The State Ethics Commission has approved a Disposition Agreement in which Ciarametaro admits to the violations, waives his right to a public hearing, and pays the $15,000 civil penalty and $1,200 in restitution to the City of Gloucester for the public worktime spent doing his college coursework.
2026 State Ethics Commission Press Releases