Public Employees Who Have A Financial Interest in Additional Public Contracts (G.L. c. 268A, §§ 7, 14, 20) - Enforcement Cases

Enforcement Cases that address G.L. c. 268A, §§ 7, 14, 20

1. Ansart, James Public Education Letter 98-2
   The Commission issued a Public Enforcement Letter to Hopedale Water and Sewer Commission Chairman James Ansart to resolve allegations that Ansart violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law by acquiring a prohibited indirect financial interest in a Town contract when his engineering firm worked as a subcontractor on an elementary school renovation project.

2. Baylis, Robert Docket No. 07-0014
   The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Lancaster Board of Health member Robert Baylis admitted to violating sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,000 civil penalty and $1,800 forfeiture for voting to award a contract to mow the capped landfill knowing that he would do the work and receive payment for the work.

3. Campagnone, Joyce Docket No. 15-0005
   The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Joyce Campagnone, a Methuen City Councilor who is also a full-time paid employee of the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District, admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law by having a prohibited financial interest in a municipal contract.  Campagnone paid a $1,000 civil penalty for the violation and made restitution to the City of Methuen in the amount of $4,000 that she received as compensation for her City Councilor position.     

4. Chatigny, Scott Docket No. 21-0001
   The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Hubbardston Police Officer Scott Chatigny admitted he violated sections 20, 23(b)(2)(ii) and 23(b)(4) of the conflict of interest law by submitting fraudulent proposals to the town to steer town construction contracts to his private business, by having a financial interest in the town contracts while employed by the town, and by using his position as a police officer to attempt to obtain a prepayment from the town on one of the contracts. Chatigny paid a $10,000 civil penalty.

5. Crean, Thomas Docket No. 06-0015
   The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Beverly Mayor Thomas Crean admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law, paid a $1,000 civil penalty and reimbursed the City $500 for directing that the Purchasing Director declare Crean's work laptop computer as surplus property and allowing Crean to then purchase the laptop for $100.

6. Cunningham, George Docket No. 154
   The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Billerica Conservation Commission member George Cunningham admitted to violating sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,000 civil penalty for participating in a contract award to his wife's company and by working as a subcontractor on the contract.

7. Dean, Daniel Docket No. 10-0017
   The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Lynn Health Department Sanitary Inspector Daniel Dean admitted that he repeatedly violated sections 20 and 23(b)(3) of the conflict of interest law and paid a $5,000 civil penalty for serving as both a City Health Department Inspector and appointed City Constable, and by failing to disclose instances in which he conducted Health Department inspections on properties owned by parties for whom he had performed private constable services.

8. Dean, Daniel Order
   The Commission issued an Order dismissing the adjudicatory proceeding involving Lynn Health Department Sanitary Inspector Daniel Dean by allowing a joint motion to dismiss and approving a Disposition Agreement in which Dean admitted to violating sections 20 and 23 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $5,000 civil penalty.  

9. Doherty, Henry M. Docket No. 155
   The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Metropolitan District Commission Assistant Director of Recreation Henry Doherty violated section 7 of the conflict of interest law by holding a second state position as a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority car cleaner.  The Commission ordered Doherty to relinquish one of his state positions and pay a $100 civil penalty.

10. Dray, David L. Docket No. 146
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Hull Redevelopment Authority Acting Executive Director and contract Legal Counsel David Dray admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $1,000 civil penalty and $3,915 forfeiture for serving as both the HRA's Acting Executive Director and contract Legal Counsel.

11. Dubay, Francis H. Docket No. 676
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Erving Selectman Francis Dubay admitted to violating sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $1,000 civil penalty for participating in his appointment by the Selectmen as the part-time, paid, assistant town treasurer.

12. Erbetta, Robert Public Education Letter
    The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Robert Erbetta, a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Marblehead Community Charter Public School to resolve allegations that he violated sections 6, 7 and 23 of the conflict of interest law by also performing private construction-related contract work for the school and voting to renew the employment contract for the Head of School while he was a member of the Board.

13. Fleming, Jr., David I. Docket No. 156
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that David Fleming violated section 7 of the conflict of interest law by holding two state jobs, one as a Court Officer at the West Roxbury District Court and one as Assistant Automotive Maintenance Foreman with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.  The Commission ordered Fleming to relinquish one of his state jobs and pay a $100 civil penalty.

14. Fripp, Amy Docket No. 724
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that the Petitioner Enforcement Division failed to prove its case by a preponderance of the evidence that Department of Housing and Community Development paralegal Amy Fripp violated section 7 of the conflict of interest law by purchasing an affordable housing unit property that had been created pursuant to a DHCD program.  The Commission determined that Fripp had not acquired a financial interest in a contract with DHCD by signing a deed rider with the foundation managing the affordable housing units.

15. Gannon, Harry Docket No. 06-0018
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Maynard Town Accountant Harry Gannon admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law, paid a $5,000 civil penalty and a $20,000 forfeiture for also serving as the Executive Director of the Maynard Retirement Board.

16. Hansen, Howard Docket No. 16-0001
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that former Stoughton Town Moderator Howard Hansen violated sections 19, 20 and 23 of the conflict of interest law for contracting with the Town to provide printing services.  The Commission ordered Hansen to pay a $4,000 civil penalty for the violations.

17. Harrington, Vera Docket No. 234
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Swampscott Board of Assessors member Vera Harrington violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law by also serving as the paid chief clerk to the Board of Assessors.  The Commission ordered Harrington to relinquish one of her Town positions, pay a $300 civil penalty and imposed a further penalty of $50 per day to a maximum of $1,700 for each day that Harrington continued to hold both positions in violation of section 20. 

18. Hickson, Paul T. Docket No. 316
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Westfield Housing Authority maintenance worker Paul Hickson violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law  by also holding a position as a paid Westfield City Councilor.  The Commission ordered Hickson to relinquish one of his City positions and pay a $500 civil penalty for the violation.  

19. Joyce, Kendel Docket No. 10-0008
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Wrentham Housing Authority Maintenance Worker Kendel Joyce admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law by using a third party to purchase a surplus truck from the Housing Authority after the State Ethics Commission’s Legal Division advised him that he could not lawfully buy the vehicle. Joyce paid a $3,500 civil penalty.

20. Kokernak, Thomas Docket No. 10-0021
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Sterling Fire Department Lieutenant Thomas Kokernak admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law, paid a $500 civil penalty and $400 forfeiture for having a prohibited financial interest in contracts to sell leather emblem shields for fire department helmets to the Town of Sterling.

21. Llewellyn, John R. Docket No. 05-0007
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Rockland Police Sergeant and Board of Selectmen member John Llewellyn violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,000 civil penalty for accepting an appointment as Police Department Deputy Chief.  As part of the Agreement, Llewellyn resigned the Deputy Chief position. 

22. Mater, Gary Docket No. 388
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former Hubbardston Board of Health member Gary Mater admitted to violating sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $5,000 civil penalty for performing BOH inspections for a fee, concealing his work by submitting payment requests to the BOH in the name of the Health Agent, and approving payments to the Health Agent that included the fees Mater was paid for performing inspections.   

23. McLean, William G. Docket No. 143
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Woburn Golf and Ski Authority board member William McLean violated sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law by voting to approve a contract with the Woburn Golf and Social Club of which he served as Treasurer and for being paid by the Social Club to work in connection with the contract.  The Commission ordered McLean to pay a $500 civil penalty for violating section 19 and a $250 civil penalty for violating section 20. 

24. McMann, Norman Docket No. 332
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Bristol-Plymouth Regional School Committee member Norman McMann violated sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law by contracting to sell donuts to the school and by voting to approve payments to his company for selling donuts to the school.  The Commission ordered McMann to pay a $10,000 civil penalty for the violations.

25. Merkin, Brooke Docket No. 22-0006
    The Commission issued a Final Order allowing a Joint Motion to Dismiss and approving a Disposition Agreement in which Brooke Merkin, a former employee of the Center for Health Information and Analysis and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, admits to violating sections 7, 23(b)(2)(ii), and 23(b)(4) of the conflict of interest law by holding the two paid fulltime state positions at the same time and seeking payment from both state agencies for overlapping work hours. The Commission accepted Merkin’s payment of a $2,500 civil penalty and dismissed the adjudicatory proceeding against her.

26. Molloy, Francis J. Docket No. 263
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Franklin Firefighter/Town Council member Francis Molloy admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $250 civil penalty for holding the position of Town Council member while serving as a full-time Firefighter after receiving a legal opinion from the Commission that stated that he could not hold both positions.

27. Morin, Christopher, Public Education Letter
    The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Milford Finance Committee member Christopher Morin after finding reasonable cause to believe he violated sections 17(c) and 20 of the conflict of interest law by acting in connection with the sale of town land to a private real estate company he co-owned.

28. Napier, Sharon Docket No. 18-0006
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Hingham Housing Authority Executive Director Sharon Napier admitted to violating sections 20 and 23 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,500 civil penalty for having a financial interest in a Housing Authority contract and by approving and co-signing Housing Authority payments to a friend’s company, which she co-founded.

29. Nichols, Robert Docket No. 15-0001
    The Commission issued a Final Order on Summary Decision and Civil Penalty concluding the adjudicatory proceeding involving Blandford Selectman Robert Nichols by finding that Nichols violated sections 19, 20 and 23 of the conflict of interest law in connection with Nichols concealing his ownership of the company to which he voted to award a contract.  The Commission entered Summary Decision for the Petitioner Enforcement Division and ordered Nichols to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating section 19, a $5,000 civil penalty for violating section 23, and a $2,500 civil penalty for violating section 20, for a total of $12,500.

30. O'Brien, Robert Docket No. 22-0001
    The State Ethics Commission has issued a Final Order approving a Disposition Agreement in which former Sandisfield Highway Road Superintendent Robert O’Brien admits to repeatedly violating the conflict of interest law by deciding to hire his private business to provide services to the town more than 90 times, signing off on town payments to his business more than 40 times, using inside town information to underbid competitors for a town contract, using his public position to solicit private work, and having the town billed for materials his business used to do private jobs. The Commission accepted O’Brien’s payment of a $50,000 civil penalty and dismissed the adjudicatory proceeding against him.

31. O'Neil, Matthew J. Docket No. 650
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Boston Redevelopment Authority Chief of Staff Matthew O'Neil admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,000 civil penalty for purchasing a condo unit that required BRA contracts due to a deed restriction.  The Agreement also required O'Neil to sell the condo unit for an amount no higher than what he paid plus any capital improvement costs that he was eligible to recoup.

32. Pathiakis, Paul Docket No. 673
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Upton Technology Committee member Paul Pathiakis violated sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and by voting to approve a contract to a vendor while having an arrangement with the vendor to do the contract work, and for having a prohibited indirect financial interest in a contract made by the UTC to configure and deploy a new computer system at Town Hall.  The Commission ordered Pathiakis to pay a $2,000 civil penalty for violating section 19 and a $2,000 civil penalty for violating section 20, for a total of $4,000.

33. Picano, Louis Docket No. 10-0016
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Lynn Health Department Inspector Louis Picano repeatedly violated sections 20 and 23 of the conflict of interest law by also serving as an appointed City constable and performing Health Department inspections for people with whom he also performed constable duties without filing any disclosures with his appointing authority at the Health Department.  The Commission ordered Picano to pay a $35,000 civil penalty for the violations.

34. Plante, Curtis Docket No. 10-0015
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Bolton Board of Selectmen member Curtis Plante admitted to violating sections 17 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $10,000 civil penalty for having an indirect financial interest in a building contract awarded by the BOS and for representing his private employer before the BOS in connection with the contract.

35. Puccini, Richard Public Education Letter
    The Commission issued a Public Education Letter to Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School carpentry instructor Richard Puccini to resolve allegations that Mr. Puccini violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law by contracting with the school to provide it with architectural design services.

36. Riley, Michael Docket No. 330
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Boston Public Library custodian Michael Riley violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law by also holding a custodial job with the Boston School Department.  The Commission ordered Riley to relinquish one of his positions within 30 days or pay a $1,000 civil penalty.  

37. Skorput, Peter Docket No. 19-0008
    The Commission issued a Final Order dismissing an adjudicatory proceeding against West Stockbridge Fire Chief and former Select Board member Peter Skorput and accepted a Disposition Agreement in which Skorput admitted to violating sections 19, 20, and 23 of the conflict of interest law by continuing to serve as Fire Chief after his election to the Select Board; deciding payment amounts for himself, his daughter, and his nephew; voting as a Select Board member to reappoint himself Fire Chief; terminating a firefighter who had filed a complaint against him; and through other actions.. Skorput paid a $5,000 civil penalty.

38. Slattery, Joseph Docket No. 08-0017
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Southampton Water Department Superintendent/Board of Health member Joseph Slattery admitted to violating sections 20 and 21A of the conflict of interest law and paid a $4,000 civil penalty for also being appointed by the Board of Health as the paid Health Agent, a position under the supervision of the Board of Health.

39. Smith, Ross W. Docket No. 542
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Uxbridge Selectman Ross Smith admitted to violating sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,000 civil penalty for participating in a Board of Selectmen contract award to sell a surplus school bus to himself through a straw business and for having a prohibited indirect financial interest in that contract.

40. Strong, Kenneth R. Docket No. 259
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Everett Housing Authority maintenance worker Kenneth Strong violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law by also holding a municipal position of Everett Town Council member.  The Commission ordered Strong to relinquish one of the positions within 14 days, pay a $300 civil penalty, and pay A $50 per day civil penalty totaling no more that $1,700 for each day he continued to violate section 20 beyond the 14 day period. 

41. Uong, Chanrithy Docket No. 709
    The Commission issued a Decision and Order finding that Lowell High School Guidance Counselor/City Councilor violated section 20 of the conflict of interest law by accepting the position of Lowell High School Housemaster.  The Commission ordered Uong to relinquish the Housemaster position and pay a $6,000 civil penalty for the violations.

42. Uppaluri, Radhika Docket No. 23-0003
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Radhika Uppaluri, a former programmer and systems supervisor for the state Executive Office of Education (EOE), admitted to violating §§ 4(a), 6, 7, and 23(b)(2) of the conflict of interest law by as an EOE employee, hiring and supervising information technology (IT) consultants recruited by her family’s company. Uppaluri paid a $70,000 civil penalty.

43. Walker, Randall Docket No. 19-0007
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which New Braintree Select Board Member Randall Walker admitted that he violated Sections 19 and 20 of the conflict of interest law by voting to authorize the sale of town-owned land he wished to buy, then privately purchasing that land from the town when it was publicly auctioned. Walker paid a $5,000 civil penalty.

44. Walsh, David I. Docket No. 188
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Pepperell Water Commission member David Walsh admitted to violating section 23 of the conflict of interest law by having the Water Commission purchase tires for Walsh's personal use; to violating section 19 of the law by voting to approve payments to a trucking company where Walsh performed work in connection with the payments; and to violating section 20 of the law by having a prohibited indirect financial interest in those payments.  Walsh paid a $750 civil penalty for violating section 23, a $750 civil penalty for violating section 19, and a $500 civil penalty for violating section 20, for a total of $2,000.  

45. Weddleton, William Docket No. 387
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Norfolk County Sheriff's Department Deputy Superintendent/Deputy Sheriff William Weddleton admitted to violating section 14 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $5,000 civil penalty by continuing to serve civil process for pay as a Deputy Sheriff while also hold the full-time position as the Deputy Superintendent of Personnel at the Norfolk County House of Correction.  

46. Willis, John J., Sr. Docket No. 274
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which former North Andover Town Counsel John Willis admitted to violating section 20 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $2,000 civil penalty for having a prohibited indirect financial interest in commissions paid by the Town for insurance contracts handled by a group of insurance professionals in which Willis' private insurance agency was affiliated. 

47. Winsor, Shawn Docket No. 07-0015
    The Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Lancaster Board of Health Chair Shawn Winsor admitted to violating sections 19, 20 and 23 of the conflict of interest law and paid a $5,000 civil penalty and $2,700 forfeiture for participating in awarding a contract to mow the capped landfill to his own company after concealing his ownership of the company.