Man About Canton: March 3 Preview

Did you know …

As most of you know by now, Canton’s state Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) has been in hot water over the past year due to allegations of ethical lapses culminating in an FBI and IRS raid at his Canton law office a few weeks ago. According to the Boston Globe, Joyce is currently the subject of a “wide-ranging investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing,” and U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’s office has convened a grand jury to hear evidence about Joyce’s conduct.

One of the allegations is that Joyce took advantage of years of free dry cleaning from Jerry Richman, former owner of a Randolph dry cleaning business called Woodlawn Cleaners. Joyce said the charges are “false accusations” and that Richman’s favors were part of a “barter arrangement for legal services.” Richman, however, disputes Joyce’s assertion, and Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, has called on the State Ethics Commission to investigate the matter.

The Ethics Commission, according to the Globe, is also currently investigating the senator’s ties to one of his private law clients, Peabody-based Energi, while the current federal investigation is looking into a “variety of potential abuses,” including Joyce’s involvement in a massive solar project at Stonehill College. Joyce has also come under fire for some of his campaign spending practices, including his use of $3,400 in campaign funds to pay for a portion of his son’s 2014 graduation party, and he recently agreed to donate that amount to the Mass. Hospital School in Canton as part of an agreement with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The State Ethics Commission also reviewed and ultimately cleared Joyce’s gift of expensive sunglasses to 40 Senate colleagues in December 2014. The glasses had a retail price of $244, but Joyce negotiated a deal to pay just $50 per pair before later volunteering to pay an additional $25 per pair.

On February 23, Joyce announced his decision not to seek another term as a senator, stating, “I have worked hard … and achieved results while always trying to abide by the rules … but will not seek re-election.” The statement came as state Representative Walter Timilty (D-Milton) pulled nomination papers in a potential bid against Joyce, according to the State House News Service …

See this week’s Canton Citizen to read the full version of Man About Canton, or order your subscription today.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=32656

Posted by Joe DeFelice on Mar 4 2016. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.