BOSTON—In light of today's front page Boston Globe story detailing an Office of Campaign and Political Finance investigation into Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, the Massachusetts Democratic Party today requested the State Ethics Commission investigate Senator Ryan Fattman for authoring a fundraising letter on behalf of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

"In what we believe is possible a violation of state law, Senator Fattman authored a fundraising appeal on behalf of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance – a shadowy political organization under its own cloud of investigation – just as Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance officials donated heavily to his campaign," said Massachusetts Democratic Party Executice Director Matt Fenlon. "Senator Fattman's constituents deserve to know if his troubling relationship with Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is a violation state law."

MassDems believe Senator Fattman is in violation Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A Section 23 (b) (2). According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A Section 23 (b) (2): No current officer or employee of a state, county or municipal agency shall knowingly, or with reason to know: solicit or receive anything of substantial value for such officer or employee, which is not otherwise authorized by statute or regulation, for or because of the officer or employee's official position; or (ii) use or attempt to use such official position to secure for such officer, employee or others unwarranted privileges or exemptions which are of substantial value and which are not properly available to similarly situated individuals.

The text of the request for investigation is below:

March 30, 2016

Karen Nober

Executive Director

State Ethics Commission
Enforcement Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, MA 02108-1501

Dear Executive Director Nober:

I write today requesting a formal investigation of Senator Ryan Fattman, who appears to be in violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A Section 23 (b) (2). According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A Section 23 (b) (2): No current officer or employee of a state, county or municipal agency shall knowingly, or with reason to know: solicit or receive anything of substantial value for such officer or employee, which is not otherwise authorized by statute or regulation, for or because of the officer or employee's official position; or (ii) use or attempt to use such official position to secure for such officer, employee or others unwarranted privileges or exemptions which are of substantial value and which are not properly available to similarly situated individuals.

In October 2015, Senator Fattman authored a fundraising appeal for Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a 501(c)4. A copy of Senator Fattman’s fundraising letter can be found here. The fundraising appeal gives the appearance that Senator Fattman is using his influence as a state Senator to direct contributors to a 501(c)4 that will promote his political positions.

Senator Fattman’s fundraising on behalf Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is troubling because of the history of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance officials donating to Senator Fattman’s campaign and his wife, Worcester County Register of Probate, Stephanie Fattman's campaign. Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance officials have donated nearly $8000 to Senator Fattman and Register Fattman since 2013. Paul Craney, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance executive director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and donated to Register Fattman in 2014 and 2015. Laurie Belsito Craney, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance’s legislative director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and donated to Register Fattman in 2014. Bradford Williams, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013 and 2015, and donated to Register Fattman in 2015. Cynthia Terwilliger, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013 and Register Fattman in 2015. Danielle Huntley, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2014. Michael Kane, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance clerk and director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and donated to Register Fattman in 2015. Brian Bialas, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance legal counsel and director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013 and 2014. Mark Cohen, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance treasurer and director, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Rick Green, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance chairman, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013. Jim Rappaport, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance finance chairman, donated to Senator Fattman in 2013.

Additionally, Senator Fattman’s former campaign manager and deputy chief of staff, Jordanne Anderson, was hired as Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance’s finance director in September 2015, just one month before Senator Fattman authored the fundraising appeal.

Furthermore, we believe that some of the individuals Senator Fattman is soliciting on behalf of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance are inevitably people who have official business with Senator Fattman, including but not limited to: legislation, budgetary items and constituent matters.

Thank you in advance for looking into this important matter.

Sincerely,

Matt Fenlon

Executive Director

Massachusetts Democratic Party

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