Selected officials' connections to probation employees
A six-month investigation by the Globe's Spotlight Team has found that the state's Probation Department employs at least 250 friends, relatives, and financial backers of politicians and top court officials. The investigation found that friends and family members of the powerful seem to have an inside track, but job-seekers also give campaign contributions to key legislators to improve their chances.
Here is a look at some of the financial and family connections that seem to lead to jobs in the Probation Department. | Related article
Salvatore F. DiMasi
Former Speaker of the House
Donated to (# of donations)
Selected contributors employed in probation
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East Boston resident.
DiMasi (6) -
Father Paul V. Buckley, a former judge, is Commissioner of the Division of Industrial Accidents
DiMasi (1) -
Christopher Bulger is Commissioner Jack O'Brien's chief legal advisor and one of the highest paid officials in the agency.
DiMasi (1) -
Rep. Robert DeLeo has been a strong supporter of probation, receiving the second most donations from probation employees. His godson, the son of DeLeo aide Leonard Mirasolo, is the youngest chief probation officer in the state.
DiMasi (2)
Sen. William M. Bulger
Senate president, 1978-1996
Donated to (# of donations)
Friends and family employed in probation
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Christopher Bulger is Commissioner Jack O'Brien's chief legal advisor and one of the highest paid officials in the agency.
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Hired in 2007 after retiring from the MBTA.
Mayor Raymond L. Flynn
Mayor of Boston, 1984-1993Friends and family employed in probation
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Edward Flynn, a former Boston city council candidate, originally applied for a probation job in Dorchester, but was not a finalist.
US. Rep. William Delahunt
Member of Congress since 1997Friends and family employed in probation
Rep. Robert DeLeo
Speaker of the House, D-Winthrop
Donated to (# of donations)
Friends and family employed in probation
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DeLeo has been a strong supporter of probation, receiving the second most donations from probation employees. His godson, the son of DeLeo aide Leonard Mirasolo, is the youngest chief probation officer in the state.
Donated to (# of donations)
Selected contributors employed in probation
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Beverly resident who makes all of his contributions to two state legislators who don't represent him.
DeLeo (16) -
North Reading resident.
DeLeo (14) -
Revere residents, father and daughter, who make less than $70,000 combined, write 15 checks to DeLeo for up to $500 at a time.
DeLeo (15) -
Somerville resident begins contributing to powerful legislative leader who is not in his district
DeLeo (7)
Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati
Speaker Pro Tempore, third-ranking House leader, D-LudlowRep. Petrolati, the Speaker Pro Tempore, is widely regarded as the king of patronage in western Massachusetts for his ability to get court jobs for his supporters.
Friends and family employed in probation
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Husband of Petrolati's aide Colleen Ryan
Donated to (# of donations)
Selected contributors employed in probation
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Christopher Bulger is Commissioner Jack O'Brien's chief legal advisor and one of highest paid officials in the agency.
Petrolati (1) -
Ludlow resident.
Petrolati (7) -
Ludlow resident.
Petrolati (5) -
Athol resident receives promotion near the time of her contribution to Petrolati, who does not represent her district.
Petrolati (2) -
Ludlow resident
Petrolati (4) -
Ludlow resident began donating to powerful lawmaker two months after probation hired her. Line and husband have given $900 so far.
Petrolati (3) -
Petrolati (2)
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Petrolati (2)
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McDonald and his three children have given $1,050 in recent years to Petrolati. Only Maura lives in his district.
Petrolati (1) -
Petrolati (1)
Sen. Steven Baddour
Vice-Chair Judiciary Committee, D-MethuenFriends and family employed in probation
Sen. Marian Walsh
Senate Majority Whip, D-West Roxbury
Donated to (# of donations)
Friends and family employed in probation
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Father Paul V. Buckley, a former judge, is Commissioner of the Division of Industrial Accidents
Walsh (1)
Rep. Michael Rush
Member, House Ways and Means Committee, D-West RoxburyFriends and family employed in probation
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House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran persuaded Jack O'Brien to promote Rush as a favor to his son. The elder Rush retired amid accusations of sex and race discrimination from female employees.
Rep. Michael Costello
Co-chair, Joint Committee on Public Safety, D-NewburyportFriends and family employed in probation
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Hired in 1991 before Costello was elected to the legislature.
Rep. John Rogers
Former House Majority Leader, D-NorwoodRep. Rogers was one of few legislators to vote against probation budget overrides in 2009. His supporters believe Commissioner Jack O'Brien helped defeat his bid for House Speaker that year.
Friends and family employed in probation
John J. "Jack" O'Brien
Probation Commissioner since 1998Friends and family employed in probation
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Chief Justice Robert Mulligan warned O'Brien that hiring his daughter might be a violation of the court's anti-nepotism policy.
John J. Irwin Jr.
Former Chief Justice for Administration, deceasedJudge Irwin named Jack O'Brien Probation Commissioner in 1998, bypassing a candidate with stronger academic credentials. Probation hired two Irwin relatives by 2001.
Friends and family employed in probation
William H. Burke III
Deputy Commissioner, retired
Donated to (# of donations)
Friends and family employed in probation
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Burke played a lead role in interviewing candidates for western Massachusetts probation jobs, but said he played no role in hiring his daughter.
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Promoted around time of Burke's retirement in 2009, but Burke said he had no role.
Judge Alfred A. Barbalunga
Pittsfield District Court Judge, retiredFriends and family employed in probation
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Judge recommended dismissal of Barbalunga for issues including time and attendance in 1999. Instead, he was transferred and promoted.
Judge Paul Losapio
Uxbridge District Court First JusticeFriends and family employed in probation
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Worcester detectives say she compromised police investigation by tipping off alleged criminals, said she was unfit to be a probation officer. She was transferred instead of fired.
Judge Mark E. Lawton
Bristol County Juvenile Court JudgeFriends and family employed in probation
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Resigned as assistant district attorney in Plymouth County after alleged improper use of computer in 2007. Probation promptly hired him. He now faces serious drug charges.
Paul McDonald
Greenfield District Court Chief Probation Officer, retiredMcDonald and his three children have given $1,050 in recent years to Rep. Tom Petrolati, widely regarded as the king of patronage in western Massachusetts. Only Maura lives in his district.
Donated to (# of donations)
Friends and family employed in probation
Stephen P. Anzalone Sr.
Malden District Court first assistant chief probation officerAnzalone Sr. played football at Boston College with Commissioner O'Brien. In addition to Anzalone's children, two other relatives also work for probation.
Friends and family employed in probation
Gerald W. Buono Jr.
East Brookfield District Court chief probation officerFriends and family employed in probation
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Arrested for disorderly conduct in a bar brawl within two months of starting job. Criminal charges later dismissed.
Robert Teixeira Jr.
Falmouth District Court chief probation officerFriends and family employed in probation
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She and twin sister Leanne started work for probation on the same day, April 3, 2006.
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She and twin sister Andrea started work for probation on the same day, April 3, 2006.
Compiled by the Spotlight Team. Salary data from the most recent year available
Tom Giratikanon/Globe Staff