FOX25 Investigates: Boston to pay consultant $400,000

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, whose administration has been plagued by a federal corruption probe, is doubling the contract for a former federal prosecutor paid to investigate city employees, FOX25 Investigates has learned.

Walsh announced in October he was hiring attorney Brian T. Kelly on a $50,000 contract to uncover any wrongdoing connected with strong arm union tactics. That agreement came under scrutiny after Kelly’s investigation found no wrongdoing at Boston City Hall – just before two staffers were federally indicted for extortion.

FOX25 Investigates got the amended contract Tuesday afternoon and learned the city is doubling the cap on Kelly’s contract – from $200,000 to $400,000.

Kelly, the federal prosecutor famous for taking down Whitey Bulger, also has a newly expanded role, according to the latest version of the contract signed earlier this month by Walsh and obtained by FOX25 Investigates. His duties will now include advising a new committee charged with streamlining the city’s permitting process. Kelly’s hourly rate of $625 an hour will remain the same, according to the contract, which expires the middle of next year.

The contract with Kelly’s law firm also pays two of his associates to work with him – at rates of up to $345 an hour.

Walsh defended the latest, newest contract to FOX25.

“I feel very good about his work. I feel very confident in the work that he’s done,” Wash told FOX25’s Eric Rasmussen.

Kelly's original contract was capped at $50,000 last fall before increasing to $100,000 in January and $200,000 in February. It now stands at $400,000.

Walsh first hired Kelly to investigate his administration after several Teamsters were charged with extorting the crew of Top Chef to use union labor.

Kelly’s first investigation found no city employees did anything wrong, but months later, the city’s director of tourism, sports and entertainment Ken Brissette and another staffer, Tim Sullivan, were federally charged with extortion in another case involving pressure to use union labor for a music festival.

Some critics say the new contract is a deal Walsh may eventually regret.

“The problem is this particular attorney isn’t coming up with great results,” said political consultant Diane McNamara. “This was not a smart choice in terms of optics. It’s going to trail him. It’s a lot of money – $625 dollars an hour, 400 thousand dollars. And we’re not done.”

In a statement to FOX25, Kelly would only say, “I’m going to assist the city and decline comment on all other matters.”

Cox Media Group