Posted on Facebook by Timothy P.Murray:
Regarding today’s agreement with the Attorney General’s Office:
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.
With Mr. Murray no longer a political obstacle, further action is unwarranted.
That Murray was treated to harshly? Not harshly enough? That McLaughlin should or should not be indicted? Or what?
If you think there is some kind of conspiracy, Tom, do us a favor and name the conspirators. And tell us how the results of a non-conspiratorial investigation would have been different.
Mr. McLaughlin was among the most prolific fundraisers in the state, and stole an enormous amount of money from some of the poorest people in the state. He received a slap on the wrist, as part of a plea-bargain that resulted in NO indictments.
I would have been less suspicious if:
– Mr. McLaughlin had been treated much more harshly (specifically in comparison to Chuck Turner and Diane Wilkerson).
– Politicians other than Mr. Murray had been named during the “investigation” — or none at all.
– Martha Coakley had conspicuously recused herself and her staff from the “investigation”, because of the obvious conflict of interest.
As the Globe reported yesterday.
1. Between Murray’s fundraising chief and McLaughlin? Why would the head of fundraising speak with McLaughlin that many times if not to talk about fundraising?
2. Between Murray himself and McLaughlin?
Murray had no insight into McLaughlin’s personality despite the fact that they seemed to be in frequent contact, and that McLaughlin had a history of questionable actions? I would assume you don’t get as far in politics as Murray without some ability to assess people. Many, many people up here in the MV know and dislike McLaughlin. Apparently Murray never heard any of this.
Murray gives a “I knew nothing about this but I will take responsibility” line. I am surprised there wasn’t more digging into those two issues.
I think at a minimum that part of the statement is a lie.
Justice is a funny thing when it comes to politicians prosecuting other politicians.
the fact that no one is willing to name the “highway employee involved in illegal fundraising is unacceptable. A good news organization should be able to identify that person with a little digging. One way would be to use the list of state employees which is publicly available, and call up every employee who is described as a “highway department supervisor”. Another way would be to use Murray’s list of contributors and call up every state employee and ask if they were solicited by a “highway department supervisor.”
Seriously. In many countries one cannot make these contributions. One cannot become a lobbyist after holding office!
Bring back a revamped “Clean Elections law” and outlaw every kind of money contribution – allow only volunteer labor like canvassing, GOTV, phone banks, envelope stuffing, etc.
End the class of self perpetuating political dynasties. Yes, I am 100% serious and have stopped 95% of the contributions I once made, not only because I am a widow with fewer resources but because I no longer find the “dialing for dollars” type of politics acceptable.
For every small dollar powered campaign eventually gets corroded by Wall Street money (case in point: Obama, Barack). That said, Warren practices what she preaches and will have to depend on us since Wall Street certainly isn’t beating down the gate to fund her. I donated a lot in 2008 (including logging a lot of hours in Iowa) and am unlikely to do that again for a presidential nominee who will reward the likes of Prtizker and Summers since they bring in more dough.
while lowering the boom on an appointed hack. We’ve seen this before, with O’Brien and the jobs-for-donations scandal. Neither DeLeo or Murray indicted. Reminds me of feudalism, where you had different penalties for different classes of people. Like a peasant would get drawn and quartered for something a noble would get fined for. Coakley cracks me up sometimes. No offense, SomervilleTom, but I think Murray was probably aware of McLaughlin’s fundraising- they were friends, right?