Around New England

Holbrook Selectman Fined By State Ethics Commission For Accepting $10,900 In Free Home Repairs

September 30, 2024

Holbrook selectman William Watkins has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $8,000, as well as $10,900 in restitution to a local mason, following an investigation into ethics violations stemming from a conflict of interest.

Watkins accepted home improvement work on his walkways, steps, and porch free of charge, taking advantage of his position as a member of the town’s board of selectmen member, according to state officials. This conclusion was reached through a Disposition Agreement, where Watkins admitted to the violations and waived his right to a hearing on the matter, according to a press release from the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.

The incident traces back to September 2022 when Watkins, in casual conversation, mentioned the deteriorating state of his home’s steps and walkway to another member of the town of Holbrook’s board of selectmen.

The fellow board member texted Watkins, saying that he could have his “stairs done for free.” Watkins’ brief response — a thumbs-up emoji — was the only form of communication confirming his interest. Shortly after that, his colleague arranged for a local mason to assess Watkins’s steps, leading to the installation of new walkways and steps in February 2023. However, Watkins and the mason did not discuss payment or the cost of the project.

Watkins either knew or had reason to know that the work he received was not a gesture of good will, but rather a favor tied to his position, according to the press release. The state’s conflict-of-interest law expressly prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving anything of value — defined as anything exceeding $50 — because of their official role. Watkins’s acceptance of nearly $11,000 in free services violated that rule, state officials said.

By early April 2023, rumors began circulating about the project.

Aware of these rumors, Watkins contacted the State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division on April 4, 2023. In his self-report, Watkins admitted he had accepted a valuable gift. Watkins then sought an invoice from the mason, which he eventually got on July 27, 2023, for $9,800. At the time, Watkins informed the mason that he would need time to get the money needed to make payment. The mason appeared lenient, telling him to pay what he could and settle the remainder later.

However, by April 25, 2024, Watkins had not made any payments to the mason. That caused the State Ethics Commission to authorize adjudicatory proceedings against Watkins. The case resulted in a settlement on September 19, 2024, when Watkins made full restitution as agreed in the Disposition Agreement.

David Wilson, executive director of the State Ethics Commission, said that politicians must remember that they are in office to serve the public, not to receive free stuff.

“Being a public official does not entitle one to receive for free valuable goods and services that others must pay for,” Wilson said in the written statement. “The law is clear that public employees must not seek or accept valuable free goods or services given to them because of their official positions.”

The State Ethics Commission encourages all public employees to seek guidance from its Legal Division when in doubt about the applicability of the conflict-of-interest law. Employees can contact the division at 617-371-9500 for free advice about possible ethical concerns.

Watkins could not be reached for comment on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. He remains a selectman, according to the town of Holbrook’s web site. His current term ends in 2025.

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