I am glad that this civil settlement brings to a close a
process that I initiated in January of 2012 when I asked for an investigation
by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance based upon reports that Michael
McLaughlin was improperly soliciting funds for my committee.
I asked for the investigation because I have always sought
to play by the rules and run my political committee within the letter and the
spirit of the law. This review has been comprehensive and we have fully
cooperated with the authorities every step of the way.
As I have said from the start, I never asked Michael
McLaughlin to solicit funds for my committee, because I know that would have
been wrong. The finding that Michael McLaughin violated the law by asking
people to donate to my committee is not shocking today given what we now know
about his character and his criminal actions. As a result of his criminal
activity, many people have been hurt, most importantly many good people in
Chelsea who simply sought dignified and affordable housing for themselves and
their families. If I knew in 2006 what I know today about Mr. McLaughlin, I
would have never had any association with him at all.
Nevertheless, Mr. McLaughlin's behavior does not change the
fact that I am ultimately responsible for administrative oversights made by my
committee. While neither I nor any
member of my committee was aware that Mr. McLaughlin was making such
solicitations, we should have been more vigilant in monitoring the situation.
This investigation also found inappropriate fundraising
activity by a state highway department employee. Again, I should have been more vigilant.
I have certainly learned from these mistakes and I hope that
other elected officials, candidates for office and their political committees can
as well.
This civil settlement and purging of the funds is a welcomed
conclusion and I look forward to continuing to work hard in my role as
President of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, to help businesses and
institutions grow, create jobs and improve the quality of life for people in
Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth at large.
