Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
A state-wide organization in favor of legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts has filed a complaint against Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, according to the organization.
William Luzier, Campaign Manager for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said he filed a complaint with OCPF on June 30 against Carmichael. However, the OCPF is held to "grand jury secrecy" and can't confirm, deny or speak specifically about complaints they receive, according to OCPF spokesman Jason Tait.
"The facts are: Carmichael appeared and was the featured speaker at a press conference organized, publicized and staffed by the Committee for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, a campaign committee organized to oppose a ballot question, on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at 10:30 am (during work hours)," reads Luzier's complaint. "Carmichael appeared in uniform and, on information and belief, arrived at the event in a police vehicle."
According to the complaint, Carmichael violated OCPF Interpretive Bulletin 92-02 and 91-01. The OCPF releases Interpretive Bulletins based on the office's interpretations of Massachusetts General Law. Both of these bulletins are based on Chapter 55, which deals with "Disclosure and regulation of campaign expenditures and contributors."
Luzier alleges Carmichael violated Footnote Three of 92-02 when he appeared at the June 23 event at 10:30 a.m. The applicable portion of Footnote Three reads, "In addition, an appointed official may not appear at a political committee's campaign function to promote or oppose a ballot question during working hours."
Luzier also alleges Carmichael violated Interpretative Bulletin 91-01, titled "The Use of Government Resources for Political Purposes." Luzier alleges in his complaint that Carmichael appeared at the event in police uniform and arrived in his police cruiser.
According to the document, "government resources" are defined as "anything that is paid for by taxpayers, e.g. personnel, paper, stationary, and other supplies; offices, meeting rooms and other facilities; copiers, computers, telephones, fax machines, automobiles and other equipment purchased or maintained by the government."
I.B. 91-01 "prohibits the use of public resources for political purpose" and "prohibits the use of public funds or other public resources to support or oppose a question put to the voters."
According to Jim Borghesani, Communications Director for Regulate, this is the first complaint his organization has filed against a public official.
According to Tait, in general, OCPF lawyers review each complaint and if they find that a person or persons did not comply with the law, the OCPF will "come up with resolutions on a case by case basis," said Tait.
Chief Carmichael said he hadn't received notice that a complaint had been filed.
"This is the first I am hearing about a complaint filed, but when I receive it, I'd (be) more than happy to discuss," wrote Carmichael in an email.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pro-Marijuana Legalization Group Files Complaint Against Walpole Chief
Author: Amanda Beland
Contact: 781-433-8282
Photo Credit: Fotolia
Website: Wicked Local Walpole
William Luzier, Campaign Manager for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said he filed a complaint with OCPF on June 30 against Carmichael. However, the OCPF is held to "grand jury secrecy" and can't confirm, deny or speak specifically about complaints they receive, according to OCPF spokesman Jason Tait.
"The facts are: Carmichael appeared and was the featured speaker at a press conference organized, publicized and staffed by the Committee for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, a campaign committee organized to oppose a ballot question, on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at 10:30 am (during work hours)," reads Luzier's complaint. "Carmichael appeared in uniform and, on information and belief, arrived at the event in a police vehicle."
According to the complaint, Carmichael violated OCPF Interpretive Bulletin 92-02 and 91-01. The OCPF releases Interpretive Bulletins based on the office's interpretations of Massachusetts General Law. Both of these bulletins are based on Chapter 55, which deals with "Disclosure and regulation of campaign expenditures and contributors."
Luzier alleges Carmichael violated Footnote Three of 92-02 when he appeared at the June 23 event at 10:30 a.m. The applicable portion of Footnote Three reads, "In addition, an appointed official may not appear at a political committee's campaign function to promote or oppose a ballot question during working hours."
Luzier also alleges Carmichael violated Interpretative Bulletin 91-01, titled "The Use of Government Resources for Political Purposes." Luzier alleges in his complaint that Carmichael appeared at the event in police uniform and arrived in his police cruiser.
According to the document, "government resources" are defined as "anything that is paid for by taxpayers, e.g. personnel, paper, stationary, and other supplies; offices, meeting rooms and other facilities; copiers, computers, telephones, fax machines, automobiles and other equipment purchased or maintained by the government."
I.B. 91-01 "prohibits the use of public resources for political purpose" and "prohibits the use of public funds or other public resources to support or oppose a question put to the voters."
According to Jim Borghesani, Communications Director for Regulate, this is the first complaint his organization has filed against a public official.
According to Tait, in general, OCPF lawyers review each complaint and if they find that a person or persons did not comply with the law, the OCPF will "come up with resolutions on a case by case basis," said Tait.
Chief Carmichael said he hadn't received notice that a complaint had been filed.
"This is the first I am hearing about a complaint filed, but when I receive it, I'd (be) more than happy to discuss," wrote Carmichael in an email.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pro-Marijuana Legalization Group Files Complaint Against Walpole Chief
Author: Amanda Beland
Contact: 781-433-8282
Photo Credit: Fotolia
Website: Wicked Local Walpole
