sgusers4的部落格

Source: Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.儲存Aug. 09--The State Ethics Commission warned state Sen. Daniel Wolf of a potential conflict of interest problem as early as 2010, but the Cape and Islands senator "did not follow up on that advice, nor did he inform the Commission of Cape Air's contracts with Massport," according to a rare public statement by the commission Thursday.The statement disputed comments made by Wolf on Wednesday. Wolf, D-Harwich, said he would continue to run for governor and would contest the ethics commission's opinion that his business interests posed a conflict because Cape Air holds two state contracts with the Massachusetts Port Authority, the state agency that owns and operates Logan International Airport in Boston. In a statement Wednesday, Wolf said the commission's staff had led him to believe no such conflicts would exist over Cape Air's contracts.But in a prepared statement Thursday, the commission disputed that claim."In his dealings with the Commission, Senator Wolf was never led to believe that no conflict existed; in fact, he was advised that he likely had a substantial problem under the conflict law," the commission said.'Flawed process'Wolf said he was informed by the commission Aug. 2 that he could remain in the 2014 governor's race -- and continue to serve as a state senator -- only if Cape Air's service to Logan Airport was discontinued or if he permanently divested his holdings in the airline.Wolf, who owns about 20 percent of Cape Air, said he disagreed with the decision and would continue campaigning for governor as he worked "to rectify what I believe to be an unfortunate conclusion based on a flawed process."His "Take Off with Dan Wolf" tour begins Tuesday in Billerica. "I look forward to maintaining my ambitious campaign schedule and having an open, transparent conversation with the voters about this and every issue, continuing a dialogue that already is garnering grass-roots support across the state," he said.Responding to the commission Thursday, Wolf said his ownership stake in Cape Air and the airline's Massport contracts have never violated the public trust or state ethics laws."I have consistently sought guidance from the ethics commission to ensure that I was in compliance with state laws," Wolf said. "I would not have run for state Senate initially in 2010 if I felt that Cape Air's use of Logan Airport would in any way be inconsistent with fulfilling my public service to the people of the Cape and Islands."The commission said Wolf has consulted its staff, but Thursday's statement contradicts some of his claims.While contemplating a run for governor this spring, Wolf said he contacted the commission "out of an abundance of caution." And in an initial conversation, Wolf said, the commission's staff led him to believe that no such conflict would exist, reiterating an informal opinion it had provided before his first election to the state senate in 2010.But on Thursday, the commission said Wolf was told he likely had a substantial problem under the conflict (of interest) law and that he would receive more specific advice after providing 新蒲崗迷你倉ape Air's contracts with Massport. Wolf provided the contracts, but then he announced his run for governor before receiving that advice.Wolf declined an interview request Thursday.His previous statement offered some insight into the airline's contracts with Massport, which are renewed month-to-month and year-to-year, respectively.Neither Cape Air nor Massport has taken any "affirmative action" on the contracts since 2002.Massport spokesman Matthew Brelis said in a statement that Wolf's comments on the agreement were accurate, noting that the rental rates are the same for each airline operating out of the same terminal.Wolf called attention to that statement to argue that lease and operation agreements at the airport "are very different from any typical understanding of a state contract.""This opinion ... would prevent any successful businessperson who may have even tangential business interaction with the state from entering public life," he said.The commission said Wolf must decide between his political career and maintaining his financial interest in Cape Air decision within 30 days, although it said it would consider an extension.Wolf does not qualify for the exemption to the conflict-of-interest law because he owns more than 10 percent of Cape Air and the terminal leases included in the Massport contracts are not arrived at through a competitive bidding process, the opinion states.Political problemTyler Creighton, assistant director of the government watchdog Common Cause of Massachusetts, said the ethics law can have harsh results in prohibiting direct or indirect interests in state contracts.But if the Massport agreement is truly without discretion, Creighton said Wolf might be able to successfully contest the commission's opinion."If there's no discretion involved -- all I have to do is send in my application and pay the fee and that is the extent of it -- I think there's definitely an argument for Sen. Wolf to make," Creighton said. "If, on the other hand, Massport has discretion on which companies do and do not get to fly into Logan, the argument is much tougher."Massport, in its statement, said it is obligated to accommodate all certified air carriers that seek to operate out of Logan.After reviewing both the commission's and Wolf's statements on Thursday, Stonehill College political professor Peter Ubertaccio said the Cape Air founder's argument about the nature of the airport agreements is "on firm ground."The problem for Wolf is political, he said, as the Harwich Democrat must now reconcile his account of events with the commission's as he raises funds and sets out on the campaign trail."(Wolf and his staff) were told that this was a conflict, and they didn't seek to address it," said Ubertaccio, of Sandwich. "Instead, he comes out with a statement (Wednesday) that feigned surprise at what the commission said when he and his staff have known all along that the commission found him to be in conflict."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Mass.) Visit the Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Mass.) at .capecodonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage