| Date: | 01/18/2002 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | State Ethics Commission |
| Docket Number: | 641 |
- Appearance for Petitioner: Karen Beth Gray, Esq.
- Commissioners: Wagner, Ch., Cassidy, Roach, Dolan
- Presiding Officer: Commissioner Christine M. Roach, Esq.
- This page, In the Matter of Brian Pedro, is offered by
- State Ethics Commission
Ruling
Ruling In the Matter of Brian Pedro
Table of Contents
Ruling on Petitioners Motion for a Summary Decision: I. Background
This matter arises from the alleged failure of Respondent Brian Pedro ("Pedro"), the Press Secretary for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, to file his Statement of Financial Interests ("SFI") for calendar year 2000 in accordance with GL. c. 268B and 930 CMR 2.00.
Pedro was required to file his SFI by May 1, 2001 and failed to do so. On May 4, 2001, the Commission sent a Formal Notice of Lateness ("Formal Notice") to y Pedro, which was returned by the Post Office marked "unclaimed." On June 1, 2001, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department served a Formal Notice on Pedro. This Formal Notice advised Pedro that his SFI had not e been filed and was, therefore, delinquent and further, that failure to file such an SFI within ten (10) days would f result in civil penalties. Therefore, Pedro's SFI was required to be filed by June 11, 2001. Pedro failed to file his SFI by June 11, 2001.
On June 12 and June 25, 2001, the Commission sent Pedro warning letters advising Pedro that an SFI had not been filed and was, therefore, delinquent and further, that failure to file such an SFI would result in civil penalties. Pedro failed to file his SFI in response to these warning letters. On August 8, 2001, the Commission found reasonable cause to believe that Pedro violated GL. c. 268B, s. 5(g), and by majority vote authorized the initiation of adjudicatory proceedings. Petitioner filed an Order to Show Cause ("OTSC") on October 16, 2001.
When Pedro failed to answer the OTSC, or respond in any way to the adjudicatory proceeding, Petitioner filed a Motion for a Summary Decision dated November 13, 2001. On December 5, 2001, the Heating Officer, Commissioner Christine Roach, issued an Order requiring Pedro to show cause why a summary decision should not be entered against him by filing his Answer by December 17, 2001. Pedro did not file an Answer by that date. At its meeting on December 19, 2001, the Commission considered and deliberated upon, Petitioner's Motion for a Summary Decision. To date, Pedro has not filed his SFI for calendar year 2000.
II. Decision
In deciding a summary decision motion where a respondent has failed to respond to allegations set forth in an OTSC, the Commission may find a respondent has violated the law and weigh the seriousness[1] of that violation in determining the appropriate penalty.[2]
The Commission concludes that Pedro has violated G.L. c. 268B, s. 5 by failing to file his SFI. Accordingly, where Pedro has failed to formally answer, or otherwise respond to these adjudicatory proceedings, pursuant to GL. c 268B, s. 40)(3), the Commission may impose a maximum civil penalty of $2,000 for each violation of c. 268B. The Commission has previously imposed civil penalties for violations stemming from a respondent's lack of response to the Commission's adjudicatory proceedings[3] The penalty for non-filing of an SFI, as established by the Commission, is $2,000.[4]
III. Order
The Petitioner's Motion for a Summary Decision is GRANTED. Pursuant to the authority granted it by G.L. c. 268B, s. 40), the Commission ORDERS Respondent Brian Pedro to:
1. File an SFI for calendar year 2000 within seven (7) days of
receipt of this Ruling; and
2. Pay a civil penalty of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to the Commission within thirty (30) days of receipt of this Ruling for violating GL. c. 268B, s. 5 for failing to file an SFI.
IV. Notice of Right to Appeal
Respondent is notified of his right to appeal this Ruling pursuant to G.L. c. 268B, s. 4(k) by filing a petition in Superior Court within thirty (30) days of the issuance of this decision.