Governor’s Task Force on Public Integrity

Today, the Governor’s Task Force on Public Integrity will hold a public hearing at 3:30 PM in Hearing Room A-2 of the State House. The goal is to solicit ideas from the citizens of the Commonwealth on ways to strengthen regulatory frameworks that govern ethics, lobbying and public employee conduct and allow for a more transparent process.

GOP Senator Michael R. Knapik, of Westfield, was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Task Force. “Massachusetts citizens have entrusted public officials with operating our government in a transparent and honest manner and it is imperative to maintain this confidence,” said Knapik. “Recent events have, for good reason, seriously damaged the image of the Legislature and it is time we rebuild the public’s trust in the political process.”

Reform is needed and welcome given the appalling behavior of several Democratic state officials in the past two years. Governor Patrick himself used very questionable judgment when he placed a call on behalf of Ameriquest Mortgage in 2007, as the sub-prime lender was seeking financial assistance from Citigroup. The Governor had previously sat on Ameriquest’s board of directors. More recently, we saw two senators, Jim Marzilli and Dianne Wilkerson, indicted on criminal charges, while House Speaker Sal DiMasi and House Majority Leader John Rogers remain under investigation for unethical conduct.

BREAKING: Marzilli Resigns

PolitickerMA.com reports that James Marzilli has resigned.

Jim Marzilli has resigned from the state Senate, according to Senate President Therese Murray’s office.

In a letter to Murray, Marzilli, an Arlington Democrat, stated: “I hereby offer my resignation, effective 5 P.M., November 14.”

Marzilli is currently faces numerous charges of sexual assault. He was again in the news this week for travelling to Berlin, Germany, in October for an environmental summit as a representative of the Massachusetts state Senate.

Murray, who called Marzilli’s trip “completely outrageous” on Thursday, commended him for resigning.

“In deference to the need for public trust on matters before this great institution, Jim Marzilli has made the right decision for the Massachusetts Senate, the citizens of the commonwealth, and himself,” Murray said in a statement. “While the Senate deals with the conduct of another member, Jim Marzilli’s resignation will begin the process of restoring the public’s trust in their government.”

BREAKING NEWS: Wilkerson Asked To Immediately Resign

The State Senate wants Dianne Wilkerson to resign…today.

The state Senate passed a unanimous resolution this afternoon asking Democratic Senator Dianne Wilkerson to resign immediately following her arrest on charges she accepted eight bribes worth $23,500.

Lawmakers also stripped Wilkerson of her chairmanship of the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and her committee assignments and asked the Senate Ethics Committee to explore the accusations made by the FBI after an 18-month corruption probe.

This morning before the vote, Wilkerson sent a letter to Senate President Therese Murray saying she would follow the will of the Senate. Wilkerson has not issued a public statement today, but on Wednesday she vowed to continue her write-in campaign to save the seat she has held for 15 years.

“These are very serious allegations against the senator,” Murray told reporters after the vote. “We are all upset about the taint and shadow of doubt cast upon the Senate and its members based on the allegations of one person. I want to assure the people of the Commonwealth that we are fully cooperating with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation. I’m comfortable and confident that the integrity of the senate, and my own integrity, will remain intact at the end of this ordeal.”

Fair enough, or is it?

The Massachusetts Republican Party is wondering why Jim Marzilli still gets to keep his job, and keeps receiving a paycheck.

“Today, the taxpayers of Massachusetts paid Jim Marzilli $180.10,” said MassGOP Executive Director Rob Willington.

Note: The MassGOP Called on the State Senate to expel Jim Marzilli on July 1st.
Days elapsed since Marzilli’s indictment: 121
Days until Marzilli’s pension increases: 63
Cost of Senator Marzilli per day: $180.10
Total taxpayer cost since indictment: $21,792.10
For More information, visit MarzilliWatch.com

Buonomo Resigns, Why Hasn’t Marzilli?

John Buonomo has resigned from his position as Middlesex Register of Probate.

Middlesex Register of Probate John Buonomo, arrested last month and charged with stealing thousands of dollars from copying machines at the Registry of Deeds in Cambridge, has resigned from his $110,000-a-year job.

His letter of resignation was dated Friday and was sent to Gov. Deval Patrick and state Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret Marshall.

Buonomo, 56, of Newton, was captured on state police videotape allegedly stealing cash from copying machines at the Middlesex Registry of Deeds office.

Via press release, the Massachusetts GOP asks, “why hasn’t Marzilli [resigned]?”

MassGOP Executive Director Rob Willington said, “Today, the taxpayers of Massachusetts paid Jim Marzilli $180.10.”

Note: The MassGOP Called on the State Senate to expel Jim Marzilli on July 1st.

Days elapsed since Marzilli’s indictment: 69

Days until Marzilli’s pension increases: 115

Cost of Senator Marzilli per day: $180.10

Total taxpayer cost since indictment: $12,426.90

For More information, visit MarzilliWatch.com

The Case Against Marzilli

Read it for yourself… (Approx. 6MB)