AG Campbell has Several Obvious Conflicts
Today, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance slammed Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s decision to interject her office, and taxpayer resources, into the Springfield courthouse scandal, in an attempt to defend her political allies. Legal questions surrounding the procurement process remain unresolved, but AG Campbell is quick to come to the defense of her political allies. According to MA Office of Campaign and Political (OCPF) records, AG Campbell has received several thousands of dollars in campaign donations from parties she is defending in the ongoing lawsuit.
Donations from employees of Suffolk Construction are scattered throughout Campbell’s OCPF filings over the years. While it’s not unusual or illegal for campaign donations to be made to statewide officials from prominent businesses interests, it should have been recognized as a conflict for the AG to consider when she voluntarily interjected herself into the Springfield courthouse scandal.
Another illustration of potential personal motivation is the fact that AG Campbell served on the Boston City Council with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for years and have since supported each other in career promoting endeavors. Pressley’s husband is part of the winning contract.
"Taxpayers deserve confidence that major public construction projects are awarded fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with the law," said Paul Diego Craney, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance’s executive director. "Instead of supporting efforts to ensure accountability, the Attorney General has chosen to defend the state's ability to proceed with a contract that remains under judicial scrutiny and public outcry."
"The ongoing Springfield courthouse scandal doesn’t need another political connection to taint the process anymore than it has been so far. What we need is a fair and objective look at what happened so that another bad deal doesn’t come at the expense of Massachusetts taxpayers. The AG is using her office, and taxpayer resources, to try to persuade the judge in the case. This will only taint the process even more considering the AG’s obvious conflicts in the matter,” continued Craney.
"Once contracts are executed and construction begins, taxpayers often bear the cost of mistakes that could have been avoided through patience and transparency. The prudent course is to pause until the legal issues have been resolved," Craney said.
MassFiscal also questioned the Commonwealth's priorities at a time when Massachusetts residents continue to face high housing costs, rising taxes and fees, and growing concerns about state spending.
“Massachusetts families are expected to balance their budgets every day. State government should be held to the same standard before committing billions of taxpayer dollars to another major capital project. Officials should ensure every legal requirement has been satisfied and every taxpayer dollar is protected. Adding more politics to a situation that is infested with the appearance of political connections will only make matters worse,” concluded Craney.