- Karen L. Nober, Executive Director
Media Contact for Enforcement Division Alleges that Former MBTA Deputy Chief of Staff Lori Nelson Violated the Financial Disclosure Law
David Giannotti, Communications Division Chief
Allegedly failed to timely file her 2014 financial disclosure statement
Boston, MA — The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission today issued an Order to Show Cause (“OTSC”) alleging that Lori Nelson (“Nelson”), a former Deputy Chief of Staff for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA”), violated G.L. c. 268B, the financial disclosure law, by failing to file her Statement of Financial Interests (“SFI”) for calendar year 2014.
According to the OTSC, Nelson served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the MBTA for more than 30 days in 2014. She no longer serves in the position. Nelson’s position was designated as a major policy making position, and therefore she was required to file an SFI for 2014 by May 1, 2015. Nelson failed to file her SFI by that date. The Commission sent Nelson a Formal Notice of Lateness on May 11, 2015, notifying her that she had 10 days to file or she would be subject to a civil penalty. Nelson failed to file her SFI within the 10-day grace period. She has yet to file her 2014 SFI.
According to the Commission’s penalty schedule, Nelson is now subject to a civil penalty of at least $2,500 for failing to file her SFI prior to the issuance of an OTSC, and may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 if she fails to file her SFI before the Commission conducts a hearing and issues a decision in the matter.
The Financial Disclosure Law requires elected state and county officials, candidates for state office and state and county employees in designated policy making positions to annually disclose their financial interests and private business associations by filing an SFI with the Commission each year.
The Commission will schedule the matter for a hearing within 90 days.
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