Date: 9/2/2021
The following is an open letter to David A Wilson, Executive Director, Massachusetts State Ethics Commission
We are a group of elected and appointed officials representing municipalities in Hampden County. We are writing to add our voice and formal complaint to referrals made by the Public Employees Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) regarding violations of Chapter 268A by Richard Theroux, Chairman and Treasurer of the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board (HCRRB) and other members of the HCRRB.
The PERAC audit report of February 2021 uncovered a continuing scheme whereby Mr. Theroux was reimbursed for lodging expenses by the HCRRB for rental of his own condominium. The PERAC audit noted,
“The Board Chair submitted questionable documents to receive a total of $1,825 in reimbursements during the audit period for non-hotel lodging expenses incurred while attending a conference on Cape Cod. The submitted documents raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of these qualifying for reimbursement. G.L. c. 268A prohibits public employees from participating in any matter in which they have a financial interest and from making false claims.”
Further inquiry into the matter, revealed that Mr. Theroux had submitted receipts for lodging at addresses that did not exist. Mr. Theroux reimbursed the $1,825 and subsequently reimbursed and additional $3,825 for lodging that PERAC described as “lodging at a location that appears to be owned by the Board Chair.” Reimbursement notwithstanding, clearly this was a long running scheme in violation of Chapter 268A.
Given the egregious facts of this matter Mr. Theroux’s continued presence in his position not only undermines the credibility and integrity of the Hampden County Retirement System but undermines the credibility of the Ethics Commission as well.
We urge the Ethics Commission to act expeditiously and forcefully to take all available action against Mr. Theroux and the other Board members cited in the PERAC audit to help restore confidence in the Hampden County Retirement System and prevent future abuses.
William Sapelli, Mayor
Agawam
Lyn Simmons, Town Manager
Select Board:
Marc Strange, Chair
Steven Marantz, Vice Chair
Joshua Levine, Clerk
Mark Gold, Member
Tom Lachiusa, Member
Longmeadow
Robert Markel,
Town Administrator
Board of Selectmen:
Donald L. Davenport, Chair Craig Rivest, Member\
Hampden
Jennifer Wolowicz,
Town Administrator
On behalf of Board of Selectmen:
Patricia Oney, Vice-chair
Monson
On behalf of the Board of Selectmen:
Katherine Warden,
Town Administrator
Chester
On behalf of the Board of Selectmen:
Carol Camerota,
Administrative Assistant
Brimfield
