Press Release  Former Melrose Fire Chief John O’Brien and Revere Fire Chief Eugene Doherty Each Cited for Conflict of Interest Law Violations

Accepted Boston Bruins tickets from Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc., the emergency medical services provider in each city

Boston, MA — The State Ethics Commission approved two Disposition Agreements (together, the “Agreements”) in which former Melrose Fire Chief John O’Brien (“O’Brien”) and Revere Fire Chief Eugene Doherty (“Doherty”) each admitted to violating G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by accepting tickets to Boston Bruins hockey games from Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc. (“Cataldo”), the emergency medical services (“EMS”) provider in both Melrose and Revere.  Pursuant to the Agreements, O’Brien paid a $1,500 civil penalty for accepting two tickets to one game from Cataldo, and Doherty paid a $3,000 civil penalty for accepting two tickets each to two games.

According to the Agreements, in September 2010, the City of Melrose awarded a three year EMS contract to Cataldo.  O’Brien, as fire chief, was a member of the committee which reviewed the EMS contract bid proposals.  In November 2010, Cataldo gave O’Brien two Boston Bruin premium club tickets, which O’Brien used to attend the November 17, 2010 game.  The tickets had an approximate value of $350.  In June 2010, Doherty, as fire chief, signed, along with the Revere Mayor, Purchasing Agent, and Auditor, a three year EMS services contract with Cataldo.  Sometime in November 2010, Cataldo gave Doherty two Boston Bruin premium club tickets, which Doherty then gave to his son and his son’s friend to attend the game.  The tickets had an approximate value of $350.  In May 2011, Cataldo gave to Doherty two Boston Bruins premium club tickets to attend the May 23, 2011 playoff game.  The tickets had an approximate value of $600.

Section 23(b)(2)(i) of G.L. c. 268A prohibits a municipal employee from, knowingly, or with reason to know, soliciting or receiving anything of substantial value for themselves or others which is not otherwise authorized by statute or regulation, and which is given for or because of the employee's official position.  According to the Agreements, by accepting Boston Bruins tickets from Cataldo, O’Brien and Doherty each violated section 23(b)(2)(i).

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