Press Release  Sharon Police Officers John Avelar and Robert Awad pay Penalties for Violating Conflict of Interest Law

Boston, MA — Sharon Police Officers John Avelar and Robert Awad have paid $8,000 and $4,000 civil penalties, respectively, for violating the conflict of interest law. Avelar and Awad signed separate Disposition Agreements in which each admitted that, with Awad’s help, Avelar and Avelar’s friend entered the Gillette Stadium Putnam Club without tickets prior to a New England Patriots game for which Awad was working security. Avelar and Awad each waived their right to a hearing.

The Sharon Police Department is one of many local police departments whose officers work security details at Gillette Stadium during New England Patriots games. Several weeks before a December 1, 2022 game for which Awad was scheduled to work the security detail, Avelar asked Awad to get him and a friend into the Putnam Club during the game. The Putnam Club is a high-end indoor suite at Gillette Stadium where fans can watch the game from indoors, enjoy upscale food and drinks, and access exclusive outdoor seats. Putnam Club tickets are only available to the general public as part of season ticket packages ranging from $6,000-$10,000 per season. At the time, Awad had been a Sharon Police Officer for less than a year and was still in his probationary period.

On the night of the game, Awad met Avelar and his friend outside Gillette Stadium, then escorted them into the Putnam Club lobby knowing that they did not have tickets to enter the club. Awad, who was in his Sharon Police uniform, told a security team member checking tickets that Avelar and the friend were “with [him]” and that Avelar was an off-duty police officer. Several minutes later, a security supervisor who witnessed the three enter the Putnam Club told Awad to help the security team find and remove Avelar and his friend. Awad responded, “What’s wrong, don’t you like cops?” and, “Why don’t you trust me?” Avelar and his friend left the Putnam Club, and Awad was removed from his security detail.

Avelar and Awad violated the conflict of interest law’s prohibition against public employees using their official positions to obtain valuable privileges for themselves or others that are not properly available to them. Additionally, Avelar violated the conflict of interest law’s prohibition against public employees soliciting or receiving valuable, unwarranted benefits given for or because of their official position.

“This case is a reminder that public employees are prohibited from using their official positions to get themselves and their friends into sports and other entertainment venues and events without paying the admission price others have to pay,” noted Commission Executive Director David A. Wilson. “A public employee must not use or try to use their official uniform, badge, work ID card, or public employee status to get into and enjoy places and events for free that others must buy tickets for.”   

The Commission encourages public employees to contact the Commission’s Legal Division at 617-371-9500 for free advice if they have any questions regarding how the conflict of interest law may apply to them.

Note: This press release was corrected to clarify that Avelar and his friend entered the Putnam Club prior to, not during, a New England Patriots game.

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