Tag Archives: Massachusetts Probation Department Scandal

A ROGUES GALLERY OF SPEAKERS

So here’s the question: does the position of Speaker of the Massachusetts House invite corruption or does it merely attract corrupt politicians?

SPEAKERSOr put another way: would former Speakers and convicted felons Charles Flaherty, Thomas Finneran and Salvatore DiMasi have put their careers and reputations on the line, risking prison and disbarment, had they not been inebriated on the hubris of Absolute Power that comes with the Speaker’s job?

As the saying goes: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!

And now, over the last few weeks, we have witnessed our current House Speaker, Robert DeLeo, appearing as a shadow figure, or unindicted co-conspirator, in the corruption trial of the cabal DeLeoformerly in charge of that criminal enterprise known as the Massachusetts Probation Department.

In addition to helping his godson become the youngest Acting Chief Probation Officer in the Commonwealth’s history, Speaker DeLeo was cited by prosecutors for allegedly using the promise of lucrative patronage jobs to help win the Speakership in a tight race with Norwood Rep. John Rogers. Not surprisingly, many of DeLeo’s colleagues and leadership team immediately stepped up to defend the Speaker and denounce federal prosecutors. Also no surprise, not a single legislator who voted for DeLeo as Speaker after receiving access to Probation Department jobs, saw those jobs as a quid pro quo for their vote. Without any question, they would have voted for DeLeo as Speaker in any case. The fact they’d been given Probation jobs for their friends, relatives and supporters played no role whatsoever.

I believe them. But then again I also believe in Santa Claus and an unbiased Supreme Court.

Of course, if there’s a legislator dumb enough to admit he or she sold his vote, according to Massachusetts custom they’d be impeached on the grounds of criminal stupidity rather than for any ethical lapse.

The fact that legislators are so quick and vocal in defending DeLeo merely provides further evidence of the power and privilege accrued to the House Speaker. Whether you have legislative goals or a leadership position (and salary) to protect, none of that will be possible without the blessing, support, or good opinion, of the Speaker. Those shouting loudest in DeLeo’s support can expect to receive their just rewards in the old familiar ways of Massachusetts politics. Perhaps no longer with jobs for unemployed relatives, but you can bet there’ll be something under the House Xmas tree with their name on the box.

Of course, those defending DeLeo the loudest are probably the same legislators who stood up in 2011 to give a rousing round of applause to visiting former Speakers, Flaherty, Finneran and DiMasi.

Apparently, in Massachusetts politics, nothing deserves a standing ovation like heaping shame upon your office.

 

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To read more about former House Speaker Thomas Finneran’s role in the Probation Department scandal, go to “Can We Just Send Finneran The Bill? Please!”

 

To read satirical takes on the ‘Massachusetts Department of Patronage,’ see ‘Dear Whitey’ and ‘Mixing Jobs and Drinks at Joe’s Bar’

 

 

 

 

From The Secret Files of the Massachusetts Patronage Department (Formerly Known as the Mass Probation Dept.), Part 2.

April 27, 2007

To: John J. O’Brien, Commissioner

From: William H. Burke III, Deputy Commissioner

Re: Scouting “Talent” at Joe’s Bar

Dear JJ:

I’m writing this, admittedly in high spirits, after meeting at Joe’s Bar with two great prospects for Chief Probation Officer: Christopher Hoffman and Frank M. Glenowicz, both highly trained mixology Joe's Pizzaspecialists as well as all-around good guys.

I’ve known Frank and Chris for many years, both congenial bartenders and trusted employees at Joe’s Pizza in Northampton, where I more than occasionally drop in to conduct Patronage Department business with politically-connected types from the Central and Western regions of the Commonwealth.

You might ask why we would willingly give up two juicy plum positions that might be reserved for a state senator or a judge, and I would answer that these guys are absolutely fabulous at listening to hard luck stories and offering sage advice. They’ve been doing it for years across the dark oak of Joe’s bar, and I would expect them to easily translate their bartender’s insights and home-grown wisdom into valuable tools for a Chief Probation Officer. Haven’t we often wished that our CPO’s could listen to thugs, felons and thieves like a bartender without judging like a priest? Well, Frank and Chris are just the guys to take in the darkest of our clients’ stories without once copping an attitude.

I assure you these men will bring honor and tireless energy to our department, and credit to both of us at Patronage Department parties where they’ll be happy to mix up any drink you can find in the Bartender’s Bible.

Also, in keeping with Patronage Department policy, both men have serious political connections.

Sincerely,

Bill

William H. Burke III

Deputy Commissioner and ACDJ (Assistant Chief Dispenser of Jobs)

Massachusetts Patronage Department

Update:

Christopher Hoffman, former Acting Chief Probation Officer, Hampshire Superior Court (salary $58,041) was the first conviction in the federal corruption probe of the Mass Probation Department, receiving a sentence of 2 years probation for intimidating a witness. When last heard from, he was working as a manager on a potato farm.

Frank M. Glenowicz, Acting Chief Probation Officer, Franklin Superior Court (salary $92,038) testified under a grant of immunity that his father grew up in the same town as Burke and worked on a farm with Burke’s brother. He was handed his probation officer’s badge by Burke one evening in Joe’s Bar.

 Author’s quote: You can’t make this stuff up! 

To see “Dear Whitey,” FromThe Secret Files Of the Mass Patronage Department, Part 1, click here.