Date: | 10/12/1994 |
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Organization: | State Ethics Commission |
Docket Number: | 503 |
- This page, In the Matther of Anthony Salamanca, is offered by
- State Ethics Commission
Settlement In the Matther of Anthony Salamanca
Table of Contents
Disposition Agreement
This Disposition Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between the State Ethics Commission ("Commission") and Anthony Salamanca ("Salamanca") pursuant to s.5 of the Commission's Enforcement Procedures. This Agreement constitutes a consented to final order enforceable in the Superior Court, pursuant to G.L. c. 268B, s.4(j).
On June 12, 1994, the Commission initiated, pursuant to G.L. c. 268B, s.4(a), a preliminary inquiry into allegations that Salamanca had violated the conflict of interest law, G.L. c. 268A. The Commission has concluded its inquiry and, on September 27, 1994, voted to find reasonable cause to believe that Salamanca violated G.L. c. 268A, s.3.
The Commission and Salamanca now agree to the following facts and conclusions of law:
1. At all times here relevant, Salamanca was employed by the Massachusetts Highway Department ("MHD") as a district highway director. As such, Salamanca was a state employee as that term is defined in G.L. c. 268A, s.1.
2. Middlesex Paving Corporation ("Middlesex") is a group of affiliated companies doing business in Massachusetts. Middlesex performs a variety of construction services including maintenance and street paving. A substantial portion of Middlesex's business consists of state contracts.
3. As a MHD district highway director, Salamanca was responsible for all construction and maintenance work performed in the district by state contractors, including Middlesex.
4. During 1991, Middlesex successfully bid for MHD contracts valued at over $4 million. These contracts were awarded to Middlesex as the lowest qualified bidder.
5. On December 21, 1991, Middlesex hosted a Christmas party at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston. The explicit purpose of the party was to
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foster goodwill with employees and individuals doing business with Middlesex. The party included cocktails, dinner, entertainment and overnight hotel accommodations for certain guests.
6. Salamanca and his wife attended the Middlesex party and stayed overnight at the Marriott as Middlesex's guests. The cost to Middlesex was approximately $170.
7. During 1992, Middlesex successfully bid for MHD contracts valued at over $28 million. These contracts were awarded to Middlesex as the lowest qualified bidder.
8. On December 19, 1992, Middlesex hosted a Christmas party at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston. The explicit purpose of the party was to foster goodwill with employees and individuals doing business with Middlesex. The party included cocktails, dinner, entertainment and overnight hotel accommodations for certain guests.
9. Salamanca and his wife attended the Middlesex party and stayed overnight at the Marriott as Middlesex's guests. The cost to Middlesex was approximately $170.
10. Section 3(b) of G.L. c. 268A prohibits a state employee from accepting anything of substantial value for or because of any official act or act within his official responsibility performed or to be performed by him. Anything with a value of $50 or more is of substantial value for s.3 purposes.[1]
11. By receiving $50 or more in entertainment and hotel accommodations from Middlesex while, as a MHD district highway director, he was responsible for all construction and maintenance work performed in the district by state contractors, and where he had been involved in prior Middlesex contracts and was likely to be involved in future Middlesex contracts, Salamanca received gifts of substantial value for or because of acts within his official responsibility performed or to be performed by him.[2] In so doing, Salamanca violated G.L. c. 268A, s.3(b).[3]
12. The Commission is aware of no evidence that the entertainment referenced above was provided to Salamanca with the intent to influence any specific act by him as a MHD civil engineer or any particular act within his official responsibility. The Commission is also aware of no evidence that Salamanca took any official action concerning any Middlesex contracts in return for the gratuities. However, even though the gratuities were only intended to foster official goodwill, they were still impermissible.[4][5]
13. Salamanca fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation.
In view of the foregoing violations of G.L. c. 268A by Salamanca, the Commission has determined that the public interest would be served by the disposition of this matter without further enforcement proceedings, on the basis of the following terms and conditions agreed to by Salamanca:
(1) that Salamanca pay to the Commission the sum of eight hundred and fifty dollars ($850.00) for violating G.L. c. 268A, s.3(b);[6]
(2) that Salamanca will act in conformance with the requirements of G.L. c. 268A in his future conduct as a state employee; and
(3) that Salamanca waive all rights to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law and terms and conditions contained in this agreement and in any related administrative or judicial proceedings to which the Commission is or may be a party.