The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance released the following statement today in response to Tuesday’s State House News Service story regarding Speaker DeLeo’s legal counsel applying to lead the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF).

James Kennedy, DeLeo’s counsel, was one of eight applicants who submitted their nomination to be the agency’s next director. The four member commission charged with selecting the next Director of OCPF, includes Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Boston College Law School Dean Vincent Rougeau, Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons and Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford.

“Speaker DeLeo has already changed the law so that term limits do not apply to him, voted to boost his own pay, and worked to ensure that Massachusetts continues as the only legislative body in America that exempts itself from the public records and open meeting laws. Last year, he was stopped when he tried to ensure he had more power in selecting the next director of OCPF. Today, we learn he has dispatched his own counsel to try to shape the state campaign finance office for years to come,” stated Paul D. Craney, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

“Speaker DeLeo’s employee should not be considered for the position. It’s an obvious conflict of interest to everyone watching except to the Speaker,” concluded Craney.