Maynard town official arrested on bribery charge
A Newton man who is the Maynard Superintendent of Public Works has been arrested on charges of soliciting bribes from a private developer, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced Sunday.
A release from Leone's office said that Paul Camilli, 38, of Newton, was arrested Saturday afternoon by Maynard Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s PACT Unit. He is charged with corruptly receiving money and gifts, the release said.
“We allege that this town official abused his position of authority, soliciting cash kickbacks from a private developer in exchange for relaxing the inspection process,” District Attorney Leone said in the press release. “Inspection standards are put in place for a reason, and by relaxing those standards in order to line his own pockets, he undermined public safety and violated the public’s trust placed in him.”
According to the press release, "a private developer began a construction project in Maynard earlier this year. Camilli had frequent interaction with the developer because the construction project required permits and code inspections from the Town of Maynard in order for it to be completed. ''
The release from Leone's office follows:
"Camilli would frequently remind the developer that deadlines were coming up and that Camilli had control over how or if those deadlines would be met. Camilli also had many verbal arguments with the developer and made numerous technical demands to be met before he would sign off on specific portions of the project.
"At one point, with a deadline looming, the developer asked Camilli what it would take to get a particular project done, and it is alleged that Camilli made known to the developer that he was looking for cash money in order to see to it that the project moved along easier.
"It is further alleged that the developer later asked Camilli how much cash it would take and that they agreed on a number in the thousands. The developer paid that money in multiple installments in multiple locations.
"It is also alleged that during this time, Camilli began relaxing necessary standards for the construction project, including important environmental protection safeguards.
"The investigation into these alleged crimes included undercover and video surveillance.
"These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.''
For more information and news from Newton, go to boston.com/newton.
Big shocker. In my personal experience Maynard is one of the most corrupt towns out here.
Volare, You have no idea what you are talking about. One bad apple doesn't paint the whole Town. Why don't you speak with a little knowledge of reality. Put some facts up.
...and let's give Mr. Camilli his day in court before we go bashing on blogs.
Is it just that those responsible for investigating and prosecuting such abuses of power, are now feeling that they have a responsibility to investigate and prosecute ALL such abuse allegations? Anecdotal evidence, as well as first person accounts, would indicate that Massachusetts Politics is rife with such activity. Anyone living here for more that 10 years has heard rumors of such abuses locally, just talking to people around their own town.
I can provide first hand evidence: In a town on the South Shore about 10 years ago, I had assisted my late parents in applying for an apartment in a senior housing complex. When I went to the housing board one afternoon to see if there was any progress in their application, I was told by the person responsible for maintaining the placement list, that "...a cash contribution to my re-election campaign would surely get them a top spot on the list...."
I declined, and they never got into the elderly housing complex. It doesn't matter what level of politics you observe, there is a certain intoxication with power that rises once the office holder knows what level of power they actually hold. They also seem to become stupid in their belief that no one would ever turn them in.
I was subject to similar treatment in Scituate... building department said I wouldn't need a hearing to build as everything met the requirements in the town laws... until the head guy popped his head up from his lunch, looked at me twice and said "No no.. for him, he needs a hearing... could be months". The woman in the office said there's no reason for a hearing as there was no need for a variance as everything was within codes... they guy said again "For him... he needs a hearing".
Wrong side of the bed that morning? Power trip? get over yourself and your petty position of "enforecement"... not power. Your job is to interpret the existing rules, that's it. Mind you, I'm new to town, never have had any interaction with anybody in town hall before either... don't take kindly to outsiders in these parts.
corrupt, ah come one...
he is NO different than Diane Wilkerson and Chuck Turner, just a different City.
"Mike", As far as the South Shore and housing, try speaking to the housing inspectors in Weymouth. talk about corrupt and political favors..if you know them you are in, if not, you get screwed. And if you are not a male, they think and treat yoyu like you are stupid and incapable (it happened to my wife) till I went in there. They changed their tune BUT no money changed hands, just words of wisdom
Most towns and cities are corrupt when it comes to permits and ordinances and regulations. If you want a building project to go smoothly you pay. If you want to wait in line with the rest of the schmucks you don't pay. I would say that throughout Mass and the rest of New England that at least 25% of all municipal inspectors can be bought in one way or another. It has been that way for years.
I agree with "Cujo December 22, 08 12:34 AM". There are no boundaries that isolate one "crook" from another in various towns . I've spent most of my life in Newton and have had the misfortune of dealing with some of the most inept and uneducated inspectors that hold high positions in town hall. Sadly, you need very minimal requirements to hold an inspector's position: most of which haven't been involved in the type of work they oversee. It is true that the "greasing" of the palm helps push the permits through. This is usually achieved through a high ranking Alderman that has the power to get things done, by way of "campaign contribution." The good news is the current wave of town officials will eventually retire. Hopefully a generation of capable and ethical individuals will set an example for local governments.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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