Friends call him a “warrior from the old school.” But others who watched Democratic power broker Michael E. McLaughlin at work over the last four decades, from Middlesex County commissioner to close ally of the current lieutenant governor, call him “a thug,” “a liar,” and now “a felon.”
The disgraced Chelsea public housing chief, 67, is a throwback to rogue politicians in the mold of the legendary James Michael Curley, who once served as Boston’s mayor from a prison cell. For them, public service was often just a game of “let’s make a deal” in which the only limit was what they could get away with.
Comments
"a throwback".. I don't think so. Politians of his ilk will always be around at every level of Government. More sophisticated maybe, but still around.
Another stellar performance by John Fraud Kerry. Also, good work by the committee overseeing the Chelsea housing department. This scum
deserves a few years in the clink for his theft of services. What about the assistent he promoted? She needs a couple of years in the clink.
Say Goodbye--Timmy !
Per the article: "It may be a testament to McLaughlin’s charm and his hardball political skills that recurrent questions about his honesty didn’t prevent him from becoming a major player in Democratic politics, running for Congress in 1978 and playing key roles in legislative and statewide campaigns for decades."
Yes, but it may be a much larger testament to the fact that in addition to a number of hard working politicians who are out to serve the public good there are a number who are out to advance their own interests at the expense of the public. I would think it likely that many in those organizations who hired McLaughlin did so with eyes wide open, choosing their own personal enrichment and advancement over the organizations effective service to the people.
His integrity was questioned from one job to another, you gotta love that, yet he still managed to get the job of Housing Director and rip off the tax payer, politics does pay off, for some.
Especially if you're a Democrat.
Appears that this guy has been playing the system, the polticians and the media for decades...if it was so apparent to everyone that he was a thug, a slug and a criminal, why wasn't something done to stop him? Why didn't the Globe report it decades ago? ..Sounds like Murray was just another victim of McLaughlin who used the names of dozens of elected officials to get what he wanted. US Atty. Ortiz should not have made a deal with this creep...he should go to jail. Murray and the long list of other politicians this creep scammed are not the culprits here, McLaughlin is. The US Atty and her staff play with the media by leaking information on over reaching cases...that is how Aaron Swartz ended up dead and that is how they destroyed the Lt. Gov.'s reputation. Shame all around: Ortiz, her staff, McLaughlin and the media.
I assume the only way he was offered a plea deal is if he's giving up someone big, probably Murray.
This guy also is a rat of the highest order, doing whatever is necessary to pass the buck and the bullet. The second he's about to take the fall, he either takes off or rolls over for a plea.
How long does Coakley need to investigate this guy? Would it surprise anyone if her fellow Democrats are pressuring her to back off? Democrats in Massachusetts are only interested in maintaining their monopoly on power and the sheep dutifully oblige.
At least Martha Coakley is in motion while my new Republican friends enjoyed the perks of the "Old School!" McLaughlin would have been stopped in some other states years ago. The natives of Mass need to really take the blame for this sewer system that ran through Chelsea Housing. Tim Murray is gone after this term--you all slept through this crap while Mitt Romney was in charge. Now, how about looking at Romney's exploits?
Perhaps this story may have come to light sooner if the writers for the Boston Globe weren't so far up the butt of the Democratic Party in this state. This paper does everything in its power to maintain the Democratic status quo that it rarely reports on corruption until it blows up in the rest of the media. Hopefully the new owners can change this!
Where was Scott Brown? Why didn't he challenge Mike and Timmy? Remember, The Globe broke this story. We will never know the damage that was caused by your "Old School" good old boys--whatever the party affiliation.
No Cranky, more like where was the Attorney General of the Commonwealth? Paid to be the top law enforcement officer in the state.
So, this is the "Old School" period of time that some native Tea Party and conservatives slept through in this great state? Where were the protests while MIke was running roughshod over people's lives with the likes of Tim Murray, his phone buddy? How long would this scam have continued without The Globe's digging? Mike tore some people up, didn't he?
throwback to rogue politicians ? Nope - simply a Democrat.
Remember, low-information voters, you have invited the fox into the henhouse. The thieving democrats are fleecing you!
This sort of 'politics' is more like tribal behavior...doesn't really reflect on GOP or DEM agendas. However, the chances it would have come to light would have been better if we had a two-party system in MA.
Perhaps...
But, at least here in MASS, the GOP isn't fleecing anyone (if for no other reason then they aren't in control of anything..)
But, it is certainly fair that Marsh Coakley - a big D - can't seem to investigate a card carrying DEM...(or, an illegal alien..)
From the article:
"It may be a testament to McLaughlin’s charm and his hardball political skills that recurrent questions about his honesty didn’t prevent him from becoming a major player in Democratic politics, running for Congress in 1978 and playing key roles in legislative and statewide campaigns for decades."
I would suggest that McLaughlin's ability to become "a major player in Democratic politics" says a lot more about Democratic politics than it says about McLaughlin.
Plunk him in South Dakota, which has one-party Republican rule and a higher proportion of corruption than Massachusetts, and he'd be a major player in Republican politics.
What are you saying, JL? That North Dakota has more corruption per capita than Massachusetts? How do you measure that?
I am always astounded to read about pus-filled cancerous personalities like Mr. McLaughlin. That he is still roaming the streets after all these years of dodging the laws is depressing. Good reporting, Boston Globe. Z
A "reformed rogue"? Aww, that's cute. Is that Massachusetts-speak for sociopathic white guys?
What are the legal ramifications to the inflated salary? Does he owe this money back since he lied to get it? What about his pension? I know if you are a conficted felon you lose it but since he's making a deal will he end up getting it? What about the checks he cashed for unused sick time and vacation even though he only worked 15 days in 2011?
For years we laughed at places like Chicago and New Jersey for their political corruption. Now Massachusetts must be the laughingstock. Last three Speakers of the House of Representatives, John O'Brien in the Probation Department, this guy McLaughlin and it looks like Tim Murray may want to start conversing with a good defense attorney.
When will the people in this state wake up and realize that one party domination benefits nobody who works for a living?
Not to worry. Martha is on it.
How do things like this happen and allowed to go on? we pay this criminal 360k a year, he hides it and doesnt have to pay it back, or forfiet his pension? or go to jail? and the gov wants to raise our taxes, ?? how many other scams are out there? so discouraging
Trash like this should be thrown off the street before they begin to fester and sore like this guy has.
And the sorriest thing about him is he won't take the fall for his "bad behavior" now. Put the squeeze on him and all he wants to do is sing. Sociopath.
Fantastic article, Boston Globe! Thank you for performing your role as public watchdog. And now is a good time to ask, where would we be without this newspaper? Or, more importantly, how would things be for people in Catholic Church, or in public housing developments? It would be even more corrupt and feudal than it is now.
The Globe shoud check out Wayne Metesky of Everett.He is running for STATR REP<and is on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the EVERETT HOUSING AUTHORITY>SOUNDS LIKE A VIOLATION OF THE HATCH ACT.He also worked under Stat Smith The Voter Fraud King.Matewsky still works at the State House
A member of the board of directors for the housing authority can run for office, but a housing director (usually paid with mostly federal funds, and an appointed position) can't.
This type of sleazy behavior should be dealt with harshly, and not at some country club like Madoff. Jail the guy.
good article.Globe should also investigate Wayne Matewsky who worked for stat Smith,and is still working in the State House.Also,he is a member of the Everett Housing Authority.DOES NOT THE HATCH ACT APPLY HERE?
A member of the board of directors for the housing authority can run for office, but a housing director (usually paid with mostly federal funds, and an appointed position) can't.
Tip of the iceberg
McLaughlin's career is a perfect example of the culture of corruption that is Democratic politics in Massachusetts.
That is until the Republican Party takes over, then the next career political criminal will be a perfect example of the culture of corruption that is Republican politics.
Possibly.
But, you really have to let them steal the horse before hanging them as a horse thief.
Right now - its the DEMS that are destroying us..... and you really cant use moral equivalence to say "if the GOP was in charge, they would be doing it as well, so we shouldn't hold a DEM accountable"...
I hope Judge Douglas Woodlock doesn't read that article. He's poised to sentence McLaughlin. He might hit a home run with him.
AN OPEN LETTER/OFFER TO GOVERNOR DEVAL L. PATRICK AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MARTHA M. COAKLEY
The Globe writes: "Again and again, McLaughlin outmanuevered prosecutors and politicians who could have derailed his career." Perhaps not. It appears that no one bothered to pursue in-plain-sight corruption or they were too afraid. Then, too, McLaughlin knew who to pay off and how to pay off.
Unfortunately, official corruption in Massachusetts is out of control. Because of it, State agencies are crumbling and there seems to be no incentive to stop it. There is little oversight, which allow employees to operate autonomously, as in the recent state crime lab scandal and other Massachusetts scandals, which could have been prevented.
Using hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to subsidize official corruption is wrong and a cash cow for some attorneys and a bloated court bureaucracy that increases every year.
Law enforcement's insistence on, "If You See Something, Say Something," is contradicted by the actual practice of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Truth telling and refusing to join in with what you know to be illegal is lethal.
On August 24, 2012, I was forced to retire from the Suffolk Probate Court for, among other things, refusing to take in defective and/or unlawful pleadings, do attorney’s work, and for my offer to senior court officials to help eliminate the massive fraud, waste and abuse operating within the probate courts.
As one of the "gatekeepers" it was my job was to insure that all pleadings were procedurally and legally sufficient for processing. I am not an attorney. I say "legally" because when pleadings have a wrong name or other inaccurate information, it's a legal matter.
Mostly all of the court employees do an outstanding and difficult job. Working in the court is not a happy place. It's a hostile environment. What makes it worse is that "certain" attorneys can get away with egregious misconduct, and misappropriation of client funds. Employees are essentially forced to rubber-stamp pleadings that should not be taken in because they almost have no choice due to the "insists on filing" provision which overrules the "gatekeeper" function in many cases, among other reasons.
For approximately four years I would not accept pleadings from certain attorneys because my role in the court system was to insure that defective pleadings and “excessive fee” fiduciary account filings should not get to any judge/courtroom to, either waste court resources or for final "adjudication." To say that I was unpopular with certain attorneys using their law license and the court to "misappropriate" assets from their wards and/or clients would be an understatement.
Unknown numbers of complaints against these two attorneys were filed with the Board of Bar Overseers (“Board”) over many years. Finally, for some unknown reason, the Board decided to act and in July and September 2011 respectively, these two "trustee" attorneys were disbarred. One for "investing [$4.4 million of the ward’s money] in a hedge fund," and one for "misappropriating" amounts that cannot be quantified because of the Board’s failure to act for years. In the latter case, I participated in the Board's investigation, which began several years earlier. On November 17, 2010, I had to follow up with the Board because this attorney was still showing up at the probate court, filing papers.
Oversight by the Board can best be characterized as malfeasance and misfeasance in secret, and without consequences. In fact, the Board has never explained their role in one of the largest embezzlement of client funds by a lawyer in United States history. Numerous complaints against attorney Morris Goldings totaling approximately $17 - $23 million, give or take a few million, were handled by the Board in a most bizarre manner. Not one dime was recovered. As one complainant’s wife told me, “The Board stood by for years and did nothing, while my husband was in a sick-bed.”
According to United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz' declaration in the Aaron Swartz case, “stealing is stealing.” Why does it take years for disbarment to occur and why is it that certain cases of verified attorney theft are not referred to Ms. Ortiz for criminal prosecution?
Just the same as Ms. Ortiz declared that "stealing is stealing," so is the rule of law that affirms, "crime is crime." The difference is that when several of her prosecutors or well protected and/or well connected attorneys engage in crime, commit and suborn perjury and obstruct justice, there are no consequences. Based on my direct experience, pro se litigants are not entitled to due process and the “Doctrine of Clean Hands” means nothing in many court rooms.
Additionally, based on my direct knowledge, attorneys and prosecutors using the courts to complete crime is not unusual. In fact, it's fair to say, it's the standard by certain attorneys and prosecutors who have mastered "gaming the system," while judges look down from the bench and allow conduct they know to be ethically and legally improper to proceed without appropriate scrutiny. In my fact based opinion, real or actual oversight is only a myth and due process is a distant memory.
Gaming the system via various manipulations can best be characterized in the words of the Defense Contract Management Agency's chief counsel, Mr. Bruce Krasker. When I asked that he not retaliate against and frame an innocent employee, his response: "We (the Legal Directorate) can do anything we want. It's called gaming. We can deny, we can delay...dismiss. We can manipulate the system any way we want."
Because I refused to place my name and work reputation on egregious retaliation, fraudulent promotions, frame ups, rigged investigations, well-planned race and gender discrimination, sexual harassment, promotion fixing and other corrupt practices, Mr. Krasker's deputy, Mr. Jerome C. Brennan, fabricated false charges against me. One of the fabricated charges for not being a "team player" was "disloyalty," which did not even exist in the DCMA's Table of Offenses & Penalties. Why did the Board refuse to investigate my complaint?
Despite absolute and unequivocal evidence in the form of my 30-page affidavit, concerning verified attorney criminal activity, subsidized by millions of taxpayer dollars, the Board refused to investigate Mr. Krasker and Mr. Brennan’s Rule 3:07 violations. It should be noted that quid pro quo jobs, promotions, bonuses and awards were bestowed on those who engaged in the corruption and criminal activity under the DCMA Legal Directorate's control. The DCMA's Ethics and Personnel attorney's response to my request to prevent unnecessary harm to innocent employees: "I tried being an ethics attorney with Navy, I had to leave."
Gaming the system needs to end. Senior court officials participate and overlook conduct that cannot be explained. For example, in my personal small claims case ("Kinan v. Toyota"), the chief clerk magistrate of the Suffolk District court assigned a convicted felon to adjudicate my case. A convicted felon adjudicating court cases in a court of law? In my direct experience and personal knowledge, being pro se against an attorney is an automatic loss as demonstrated by the fact that all I had on my side was the law, the facts and the evidence. Despite Toyota's records showing that it was my automobile, Toyota's witness fabricated evidence for use in the hearing suggesting that I didn't own my own automobile.
In another case, senior court officials participated in the false charges and hate crime of an innocent employee. Corroboration in the form of a Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD") Order dated November 30, 2011, appears to be ignored because the perpetrator is still employed by the court, while the victim must undergo protracted litigation, which is essentially a fraud on the court because the official MCAD evidence is in. Litigation for the purpose of a cover up is also wrong. This litigation is a waste of valuable court resources and only allows protracted manipulations to further injure this victim. In a August 16, 2011, Boston Globe story, you, Ms. Coakley said" "No one who lives, works, or visits Massachusetts should be subjected to discrimination." This verdict is in. Accordingly, you should act on the evidence.
Why is attorney theft and attorney wrongdoing protected by the courts? Consider Chief Judge of the Federal Appeals Court, Second Circuit, New York, Dennis G. Jacobs comment on the lawyer/judge fraternity: “Judges can be counted on to rule in favor of anything that protects and empowers lawyers."
And according to distinguished justice John F. Malloy (“The Fraternity: Lawyers and Judges in Collusion”) he writes: “The once-honorable profession of law now fully functions as a bottom-line business, driven by greed and the pursuit of power and wealth, even shaping the laws of the United States outside the elected Congress and state legislatures.” Justice Malloy also writes: “When a lawyer puts on a robe and takes the bench, he or she is called a judge. But in reality, when judges look down from the bench they are lawyers looking upon fellow members of their fraternity. In any other area of the free-enterprise system, this would be seen as a conflict of interest. The revolving door, lawyer/judge fraternity has determined to protect the legal profession in a way that no other professions enjoy and as one law professor wrote, "It’s regulation by lawyers for lawyers." A profession that is self-regulated means that, "foxes make poor custodians of henhouses."
Regarding my reporting to you, Ms. Ortiz, and your public corruption officer, Brian Kelly and members of the federal bench, as required by 18 USC 4, in 2010, someone from your office ordered the US Marshals Service to visit me at the courthouse job on two separate occasions and threaten me to stop reporting verified corruption and verified crime to law enforcement and the federal bench or else. On June 16, 2011, I learned that I was placed on a government "watch list."
There was a time when a threat by the justice department to "stop reporting [corruption and crime] or else" would have been newsworthy. Not anymore. But for the promise of another frame up by the justice department, I would still be lawfully writing to you, Ms. Ortiz, and members of the federal bench.
It was my understanding that "ignorance of the law is no excuse."
Perhaps you'll accept my offer to be a government witness in the theft of honest services and public trust matters?
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas Kinan
Sworn and Commissioned Officer - Massachusetts Trial Court (Retired)