The more things "change" in Massachusetts....
"Liquor lobby gives $45,000 to treasurer; Grossman aide says gifts won't affect actions" September 30, 2011|By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff
In his biggest one-time haul of political cash since he took office, state Treasurer Steve Grossman accepted $45,000 at a fund-raiser earlier this month from package store proprietors, bar owners, and liquor distributors, industries his office heavily controls and regulates.
Grossman took donations from executives across the state, all of whom have a financial interest in the decisions and policies set by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, the agency he oversees as treasurer.
The donations represent nearly one quarter of the entire $187,000 Grossman has raised since he took office in January.
The event, held Sept. 15 at Legal Seafood in Park Square, was attended by some of the industry’s heavy hitters....
Grossman would not respond directly to questions this week over the appropriateness of his soliciting campaign donations from the businesses he oversees through the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission....
While the practice of seeking campaign funds from state-regulated industries is routine on Beacon Hill, public interest groups have long complained that it is a conflict of interest and gives the appearance of impropriety.
In his campaign for treasurer last year, Grossman emphasized a platform of transparency and promised to bring a new standard of reform to the office. Voters, he said on the night he won the Democratic nomination, “want the next treasurer to reform the way we do business in the Commonwealth.’’
A political aide released a statement yesterday saying the treasurer is not influenced by his political donors.
“No one should have any illusion that they would get special treatment from Treasurer Grossman or his office because of any campaign contributions,’’ said Joshua L. Dawson, director of Grossman’s political committee.
Dawson said the contributions are allowable under state campaign finance and ethics laws. “His only concern is and always will be the interests of the people of Massachusetts,’’ said Dawson....
Uh-huh.
Grossman’s predecessor, Timothy P. Cahill, also took money from the liquor industry, but the amount that Grossman collected at the event appeared unusually large, industry observers said....
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Related: State Treasurer Threatened
You see who he is really looking out for, no?
Also see: State Senate Toasts Casinos
