- David A. Wilson, Executive Director
Media Contact for Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division Alleges Former Norwood Selectman Helen Donohue Violated Conflict of Interest Law
Gerry Tuoti, Public Information Officer
Boston, MA — The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission today filed an Order to Show Cause alleging that former Norwood Selectman Helen Donohue violated the conflict of interest law by repeatedly participating as a town official in matters related to Eysie Plaza in Norwood, without publicly disclosing that her daughters had a financial interest in a nearby property, or that she had a history of conflict with the plaza’s owner, Paul Eysie.
According to the Order, Donohue sought to sell family-owned land that was less than 300 feet from Eysie Plaza. Donohue believed Eysie wanted to buy the property for an unfairly low price and discouraged other potential buyers. Donohue allegedly had also opposed changes Eysie wanted to make to another property he owned near Donohue’s home.
The Order alleges that in 2016 and 2017, Donohue participated as Selectman in Eysie’s request to rezone Eysie Plaza and requests by a restaurant located in Eysie Plaza to obtain an alcoholic beverages license and an entertainment license. Donohue opposed each of these requests, and in two instances, cast the sole vote against them.
The conflict of interest law requires that whenever circumstances would cause a reasonable person to conclude that a public employee would be biased or subject to undue influence while performing official actions, the public employee may not perform those actions without first publicly disclosing the facts and circumstances that would otherwise create the appearance of undue bias or favoritism. According to the Order, Donohue violated this section of the law when she participated as Selectman in matters relating to Eysie Plaza.
Pursuant to the Commission’s Enforcement Procedures, the Enforcement Division files an Order to Show Cause after the Commission votes to find reasonable cause to believe the subject of the Order has violated the conflict of interest law. Before filing the Order to Show Cause, the Enforcement Division gives the subject or her attorney an opportunity to resolve the matter through a disposition agreement.
The Commission will schedule the matter for a hearing within 90 days.
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