"Representative Thomas Petrolati, the Ludlow Democrat, is a top deputy to House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Petrolati’s wife, former aide, and several financial supporters have received jobs in the department. Petrolati has been fighting a subpoena ordering him to appear before an independent counsel investigating allegations of corrupt hiring practices. He argues that forcing legislators to testify could provoke a constitutional crisis (AP)."
Don't you love how these guys think they are above the law?
"Lawmaker must face questioning on hirings; SJC backs scope of probation inquiry" by Andrea Estes and Thomas Farragher, Globe Staff / September 17, 2010
The state’s high court yesterday rejected a bid by state Representative Thomas M. Petrolati to avoid answering questions about his efforts to place friends, relatives, and political supporters in state probation jobs....
Petrolati, a Ludlow Democrat, is viewed by many legislators as the “king of patronage’’ in Western Massachusetts because of his record of getting friends and supporters probation jobs during the tenure of Probation Commissioner John J. O’Brien, who is on paid administrative leave pending independent counsel Paul Ware’s inquiry.
Petrolati’s wife, a former aide, the husband of a current aide, and more than 90 of his financial backers were hired or promoted while O’Brien headed the agency. Petrolati has refused requests for interviews, but in written responses denied having undue influence over the agency and said he recommends only people who are qualified....
--more--"
"This week House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo demoted Thomas M. Petrolati, who announced he will be stepping down as the House’s third-ranking Democrat as the Legislature reels from a damning independent counsel’s report that its members abetted patronage, fraud, and abuse in the state Probation Department.
And into a prison cell, or will he just be collecting a generous, taxpayer-funded pension (as he likely turns to lobbying work)?
--more--"
Petrolati, a Ludlow Democrat, is viewed by many legislators as the “king of patronage’’ in Western Massachusetts because of his record of getting friends and supporters probation jobs during the tenure of Probation Commissioner John J. O’Brien, who is on paid administrative leave pending independent counsel Paul Ware’s inquiry.
Petrolati’s wife, a former aide, the husband of a current aide, and more than 90 of his financial backers were hired or promoted while O’Brien headed the agency. Petrolati has refused requests for interviews, but in written responses denied having undue influence over the agency and said he recommends only people who are qualified....
--more--"
"This week House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo demoted Thomas M. Petrolati, who announced he will be stepping down as the House’s third-ranking Democrat as the Legislature reels from a damning independent counsel’s report that its members abetted patronage, fraud, and abuse in the state Probation Department.
And into a prison cell, or will he just be collecting a generous, taxpayer-funded pension (as he likely turns to lobbying work)?
--more--"
Related: Boston Globe Probation Office Visit
State Government On Probation
They violated it just as they violate you, taxpayers.
Also see: Hard questions loom for patronage ‘king’
Top House leader downplays finding of corruption in probation agency
Resistance, resolve in report’s wake
Patronage player to leave key post
Union plans to sue on hiring fraud at probation agency
Coakley launches inquiry on probation
Why is she always the LAST ONE getting in one these things?
No wonder Massachusetts has so many laws; expanding the categorie$ of criminal$ was needed to create job$ for family and friend$ -- who then turned around and kicked back tax loot in the form of campaign contribution$.
