Sweeney
pens open letter to
Massachusetts Ethics Commission
Whistle
Blower files complaint alleging Ethics
Violations by Mayor Lantigua
February
4th, 2010
Not only did Lantigua spend time in the
Middleton Jail for being a deadbeat dad,
but in court papers filed in 2007,
Lantigua argues before the court that he
should not have to pay child support
because he took care of his ex-wife by
getting her a taxpayer funded job at the
Lawrence Police Department. Link to
originaly court documents below.
State Ethics Commission
Mr. Scott Cole
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Dear Mr. Cole:
I am filing a formal complaint against
William Lantigua, Mayor of the City of
Lawrence and State Representative for the
Sixteenth Essex District - City of
Lawrence. I firmly believe that
Mayor/State Representative William
Lantigua has violated a number of
sections of the Massachusetts General
Laws (M.G.L.)under chapter 268A Conflict
of Interest Law, specifically sections 23
(b)(2) and section 23 (b)(3).
To wit: in March of 2007, State
Representative William Lantigua filed an
affidavit with the Essex Probate &
Family Court regarding a family court
matter in which he was the defendant. His
ex-wife, the Plaintiff, was seeking a
motion for wage assignment of his State
Representatives salary and seeking
help with their daughters college
expenses.
Signed under the pains and penalties of
prejudice, State Representative William
Lantiguas affidavit to the court,
contends in part,
I have helped...[my ex-wife] in
many ways, including assisting her
efforts to get a job with the City of
Lawrence Police Department, where she is
currently employed.
State Representative Lantigua, of course,
represents the City of Lawrence and has
considerable interaction with the Police
Department in his role as State
Representative and enjoys influence and
the perception of influence to direct
funding from state sources to the Police
Department and the City of Lawrence.
It appears clear that State
Representative Lantigua used his position
and influence as a State Representative
to secure a job in the Lawrence Police
Department for his ex-wife. Additionally
State Representative Lantiguas
actions directly benefitted himself and
his personal financial situation. By
increasing the income of his ex-wife,
State Representative Lantigua eased the
burden on his own purse. The better off
financially she is, the lower the
financial burden on Representative
Lantigua to provide financially to his
ex-wife and their child.
M.G.L. c. 268A, section 23 (b)(2) states
in part, No current officer or
employee of the state...shall knowingly,
or with reason to know...use or attempt
to use his official position to secure
for himself or others unwarranted
privileges...which are of substantial
value and which are not properly
available to similarly situated
individuals.
Additionally M.G.L.c. 268A,
section 23 (b) (3) states in part,
No current officer or employee of
the state...shall knowingly, or with
reason to know...act in a manner which
would cause a reasonable person, having
knowledge of the relevant circumstances,
to conclude that any person can
improperly influence or unduly enjoy his
favor in the performance of his official
duties, or that he is likely to act...as
a result of kinship...
By using his status as State
Representative to secure his ex-wife a
public job in the same city he represents
as a State Representative, William
Lantigua knowingly and purposefully acted
in a manner to violate M.GL. c. 268A and
to further shaken the publics
belief in our elected officials and in
the general fairness of the public
employment system.
Indeed his attorney in this court matter,
Attorney Richard DAgostino, also at
the time an attorney for the City of
Lawrence, submitted a pleading
contending:
Defendant Lantigua has
helped...[his ex-wife] in many ways,
including assisting [her] endeavor to
gain employment with the City of Lawrence
Police Department, her current employment
position. Such help has assisted Mr.
Lantigua and [his ex-wife] in providing
for...[their] best interests.
[Emphasis added]
I trust the State Ethics Commission will
investigate this matter and inform me and
the good people of the Commonwealth of
your findings.
Sincerely
Michael R. Sweeney
Court Document 1
Court Document 2
Court Document 3
Court Document 4
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Tom Duggan is the president
of Valley Patriot, Inc., a former
Lawrence School Committeeman, and hosts
the Paying Attention! Radio Program on
WCAP, 980AM, every Saturday from
10am-1pm. You can email your comments to Tdugjr@aol.com
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