Romney testifies in firing lawsuit

By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appeared in federal court today and calmly defended his decision to seek the resignation in 2003 of the state civil service commissioner because of a decades old real estate deal with a Boston Mafia figure.

Romney said the credibility of the former commissioner, William P. Monahan, had been severely undermined by news that he had bought property on Tremont Street in 1980 from New England Mafia underboss Gennaro "Jerry" Angiulo.

"Had I known about it, I wouldn't have appointed him in the first place," said Romney, who sought the GOP presidential nomination last year and is keeping his name in the conversation for 2012.

While the governor said he initially hoped that Monahan would be able to keep his position, Romney said his staff helped convince him that his continued service on the commission "would not be appropriate."

Monahan has sued Romney and four members of his administration, alleging that he was wrongly terminated and defamed without due process. Monahan, a longtime Romney supporter, contends that he never had the opportunity to defend himself and never agreed to resign.

Romney testified today that he spoke to Monahan after he had agreed to leave his post.

"I called Mr. Monahan to express my sympathy for the circumstances and my appreciation for him having resigned," Romney said. "He's a person I like and respect. I knew this would be difficult for him. I felt [the state civil service commission] was a good opportunity for him and now it came to naught."

Romney testified that he offered to help Monahan find a job in the private sector and noted that during the telephone conversation he never indicated that he was unwilling to resign. The governor has known Monahan since the 1970s, when Monahan served as a selectman in Belmont, where Romney lived with his family.

Monahan's attorney Richard Hayes grilled Romney about why he didn't personally call Monahan to ask him to resign and why he left it for his staff to do. Hayes accused Romney of putting Monahan in a difficult position.

"No," Romney responded. "A difficult position brought on by himself."

When asked whether he plans to run for president again in 2012, Romney replied, "That consideration is well down the road."

Romney said he is focusing on finishing a book about the "challenges America faces and what we need to do to get back on track." He said he has two-thirds of the way through the writing and expects the book to be published next year.