Mass GOP Demands Investigation of Governor Deval Patrick

Looks like the Governor is in a little more trouble than he bargained for.

The following was reported on masslive.com:

BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick, a day after saying he regrets making a phone call to Citigroup on behalf of a struggling lending company on whose board he once served, said "don't give up on me," as the state Republican Party called for an ethics investigation.

"I will make mistakes, but don't give up on me, because I don't intend to give up on Massachusetts," Patrick, a Democrat, said Wednesday morning after an appearance at the Massachusetts High Technology Council annual meeting.

Patrick urged the public to look past his gaffes, which last month included disclosure of an expensive upgrade of his state car to a Cadillac.

The state Republican Party filed a request Wednesday with the state Ethics Commission, asking the panel to investigate the phone call.

The Massachusetts State Republican Party issues the following release for those of you interested:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brian Dodge

March 7, 2007 (617) 523-5005

Massachusetts Republicans File Ethics Complaint AGAINST GOVERNOR PATRICK

Boston, MA - Today, the Massachusetts Republican Party submitted a letter to the Massachusetts Ethics Commission requesting an investigation into the actions of Governor Deval Patrick taken on behalf of ACC Capital Holdings.

The letter to the Ethics Commission cites a February 20th call placed by Governor Patrick to a Citigroup Senior Executive at the request of the Vice Chairman of ACC Capital Holdings. The call was made as ACC Capital was requesting substantial financial assistance from Citigroup.

"Governor Patrick's effort to influence a business transaction at the request of his former employer raises serious ethical questions," said Brian Dodge, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Republican Party. "Therefore, it is only appropriate to ask the Ethics Commission to investigate this matter further."

And finally, here's the copy of the letter faxed to the Massachusetts Ethics Commission:

TEXT OF LETTER FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN PARTY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS ETHICS COMMISSION

March 7, 2007

State Ethics Commission
Enforcement Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Dear Commissioners:

According to a March 6th story in the Boston Globe headlined, Governor made call on behalf of lender, Governor Deval Patrick contacted Robert Rubin, Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee for Citigroup, Inc. on February 20, 2007 regarding a financial matter. The call was at the behest of ACC Capital Holdings, the parent company of Governor Patrick’s former employer, Ameriquest. The intent of the call was to weigh in on behalf of ACC Capital Holdings as they sought significant financial assistance from Citigroup.

Citigroup, Inc. and ACC Capital Holdings have sizable business interests in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A personal phone call from the state’s highest elected official to Citigroup’s Executive Committee Chairman at the request of ACC Capital’s Vice Chairman constitutes influence of the highest order.

According to Chapter 268A:23 of the Massachusetts General Laws, public officials must not:

(2) use or attempt to use his official position to secure for himself or others unwarranted privileges or exemptions which are of substantial value and which are not properly available to similarly situated individuals;

(3) 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 or fail to act as a result of kinship, rank, position or undue influence of any party or person. It shall be unreasonable to so conclude if such officer or employee has disclosed in writing to his appointing authority or, if no appointing authority exists, discloses in a manner which is public in nature, the facts which would otherwise lead to such a conclusion.

Governor Patrick’s actions are in direct violation of this statute.

The mission of the Massachusetts Ethics Commission is to foster integrity in government and promote public trust. It is for those reasons and the reasons laid out above that I request an immediate investigation into Governor Patrick’s activities on behalf of ACC Capital Holdings.

Sincerely,

Brian A. Dodge

Executive Director