Press Release: 2024-12-04

Carver Deputy Operations and Maintenance Foreman Christopher Vincent Pays $10,000 Civil Penalty for Violating Conflict of Interest Law

 

Vincent used town resources to replace fence on his property

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

12/03/2024

MEDIA CONTACT

Gerry Tuoti, Public Information Officer

 Phone

Call Gerry Tuoti, Public Information Officer at (617) 371-9533

 Online

Email Gerry Tuoti, Public Information Officer at Gerry.Tuoti@mass.gov

BOSTON, MA — Christopher Vincent, Foreman of the Town of Carver Operations and Maintenance Department (O&M), has paid a $10,000 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law by using town resources to replace a fence on his private property. Vincent signed a Disposition Agreement in which he admitted the violation and waived his right to a hearing.

In 2022, Vincent recommended to his direct supervisor, the O&M Deputy Director, that O&M replace a fence made of wooden telephone poles on Vincent’s property. The Deputy Director agreed, and Vincent then directed two O&M employees to replace the fence using new pressure-treated wood. In January 2023, the O&M employees removed the old fence and installed the new fence during their public worktime, using more than $500 worth of town materials, which they transported to Vincent’s property in a town-owned truck. The fence work took the two employees one and a half public workdays.

The conflict of interest law prohibits public employees from participating officially in matters in which they know they have a financial interest. The law also prohibits public employees from using their official positions to obtain valuable unwarranted privileges for themselves or others. Vincent’s actions in causing O&M to replace his fence at the town’s expense violated both of these prohibitions.

“When public employees misuse public resources to benefit themselves, they cheat the public and erode its confidence in the integrity of public service,” said State Ethics Commission Executive Director David A. Wilson. “Town-owned resources, such as materials, vehicles, and public employee worktime, are to be used for public purposes, not private benefit.”

In June 2024, the Commission entered into a disposition agreement with Carver Operations and Maintenance Deputy Director John Woods, in which he admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by authorizing the use of town resources to replace Vincent’s fence.

The Commission encourages public employees to contact the Commission’s Legal Division at 617-371-9500 for free advice if they have any questions regarding how the conflict of interest law may apply to them.