The state’s highest court is reviewing a 300-page report on patronage within the department.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing a 300-page report on patronage and hiring practices in the state's Probation Department, including the role played by State Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati, D-Ludlow in the growing scandal.This is an updated version of a story posted Wednesday at 11:16.
BOSTON – Justices on the state Supreme Judicial Court are reviewing a 300-page report on patronage and hiring practices in the state’s Probation Department including the role played by state Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati, of Ludlow, in the growing scandal.
Paul F. Ware, an independent investigator appointed by the justices in May, submitted the report on Wednesday. The court has impounded the report and has provided no schedule for its official release, according to Susan Mellen, clerk for the high court.
The court appointed Ware on May 24 to conduct the investigation of hiring and promotion practices within the Probation Department, long used for patronage by state legislators.
The Probation Department has hired Petrolati’s wife, Kathleen; Robert Ryan, the husband of Petrolati’s chief of staff; Andre Pereira, a former legislative aide; and political contributors to his campaign.
Petrolati’s involvement in the probation dispute may also cost him his leadership position and bonus pay on Beacon Hill.
Depending on the probation report, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo may not reappoint Petrolati as speaker pro tempore, the No. 3 position in the House that he has held for the past six years. If he is re-elected speaker, as expected in January, DeLeo could unveil his leadership appointments in January or February.
Seth Gitell, a spokesman for DeLeo, declined comment on Wednesday.
If Petrolati is stripped of his leadership position, he would lose $15,000 bonus that he receives in addition to his regular $61,440 salary as a legislator. A Ludlow Democrat, Petrolati has served 24 years on Beacon Hill.
Colleen M. Ryan, chief of staff for Petrolati, said on Wednesday that Petrolati will not comment on the probation investigation at this point.
Petrolati attempted to quash a subpoena for him to testify in the sweeping investigation by Ware’s office. In September, the state Supreme Judicial Court rejected Petrolati’s request to kill the subpoena and said Ware had the power to compel him to testify.
In May, the justices of the state Supreme Judicial Court placed a longtime ally and friend of legislators, Probation Commissioner John J. O’Brien, on administrative leave following reports in The Boston Globe that painted the Probation Department as a haven for patronage where promotions can hinge on political donations.
John P. Pucci, a Northampton lawyer for Petrolati, recently referred to an article in CommonWealth magazine in Boston that said the practice of recommending people for jobs in probation was widespread and goes well beyond Petrolati.
The magazine reported that probation officials disclosed to Ware that they have a database of people who contacted the agency to recommend someone for a job or probation.
“It sets up a helpful context,” Pucci said.