Panel won't act against Patrick
GOP criticized his call to banker
The State Ethics Commission has decided against reprimanding Governor Deval Patrick for a telephone call he placed to a banker on behalf of the mortgage lender for whom he once served on the board of directors, according to a letter sent to the Massachusetts Republican Party.
The letter, dated Friday, followed up on a complaint Republicans filed on March 7. The party alleged Patrick broke state ethics laws barring public officials from using improper influence.
Brian Dodge, executive director of the state GOP, said he was dismayed with the decision, in particular because the commission said the outcome stemmed from its review of "the information you furnished to this commission."
"It looks like they spent three months and two weeks reviewing the one-page letter I sent them, rather than conducting their own investigation," Dodge said.
He said the commission announced last month that it was investigating a Boston city employee for an alleged violation of the same ethics rule.
A commission spokeswoman declined to discuss the case, even to confirm that a complaint had been received or a decision rendered.
In March, Patrick said he made a mistake on Feb. 20 by calling
Citigroup, the world's largest financial company, has business interests in Massachusetts, many of which are regulated by the state.
ACC is the parent company of Ameriquest, a mortgage company that has been accused of predatory lending practices. Ameriquest is licensed by the state Division of Banks.
Patrick resigned from a $360,000-a-year position on ACC's board of directors in May 2006 .
