Press Release  Enforcement Division Alleges That Two Former State Employees Violated the Financial Disclosure Law

Failed to Timely File Their 2011 Financial Disclosure Statements

Boston, MA — The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission issued two Orders to Show Cause (“Orders”) alleging that former Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Labor Director Michael Byrnes (“Byrnes”) and former Division of Professional Licensure Assistant to the Director Charles Borstel (“Borstel”), each violated G.L. c. 268B, the Financial Disclosure Law, by failing to file their respective Statements of Financial Interests (“SFIs”) for calendar year 2011 on time. 

According to the Orders, Byrnes and Borstel, both Melrose residents, were each required to file their SFIs for 2011 by May 1, 2012.  They failed to file their SFIs by that date, and were subsequently sent Formal Notices of Lateness, notifying them that they had 10 days to file or they would be subject to civil penalties.  Neither Byrnes nor Borstel filed within the 10-day grace period.  Byrnes did not file his 2011 SFI until January 22, 2013, and Borstel to date has not filed his 2011 SFI. 

According to the Commission’s penalty schedule, Byrnes owes a civil penalty of $1,250 for filing 246 days late.  Borstel faces a civil penalty of between $2,500 and $10,000.

The Financial Disclosure Law requires elected state and county officials, candidates for state office and “designated major policy makers” at the state and county level to annually disclose their financial interests and private business associations by filing an SFI with the Commission each year.

The Commission will schedule hearings on each matter within 90 days.

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