BOSTON — A private Fourth of July weekend party for political VIPs cost taxpayers much more than the embattled state Department of Conservation and Recreation previously disclosed, FOX25 Investigates has learned.
The pre-Independence Day bash thrown by since-ousted DCR Deputy Commissioner Matthew Sisk and DCR Commissioner Leo Roy cost taxpayers more than $2,500 – three times more than the roughly $800 DCR reported, according to a newly released review by the Massachusetts Comptroller’s Office.
FOX25 Investigates obtained the report – completed yesterday by the Comptroller’s Office – through a public records request submitted last month.
The unsanctioned July 3 private event began as a house party and guests were taken to the Hatch Shell by state employees driving taxpayer-funded golf carts.
Sisk resigned shortly after the scandal surfaced. In total, three high-level DCR supervisors resigned and another agency manager was fired.
The Comptroller’s Office found DCR’s own review of the unauthorized party “lacked impartiality and independence” and estimated the true cost to taxpayers could be even higher.
That’s because state investigators have no idea how much time Roy or Sisk spent planning the private event or how much taxpayer money was spent for the Department of Correction to assist with setup of chairs in the VIP section at the Hatch Shell, according to the report.
Christopher Fallon, a spokesman for the Department of Correction, said inmate work crews and supervisors do July 4 set up at the Hatch Shell every year and had no idea they were doing work for a private party.
“Each and every year we bring inmate crews to set up chairs on the Esplanade and we also break down chairs and clean up,” said Fallon.
A DCR spokesman told FOX25 Investigates the agency worked with the Comptroller’s Office on this latest review and the two managers who threw the private party have no paid back the $2,500 owed to taxpayers.
“Secretary Beaton and members of his staff were pleased to work collaboratively with the Comptroller’s Office to conduct an independent review of the July 3rd events to ensure a full reimbursement for the department – delivering transparency and accountability for the taxpayers,” said DCR in an emailed statement to FOX25. “Leo Roy and Matt Sisk have both fully reimbursed the Department of Conservation and Recreation based on the Comptroller’s assessment and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will schedule internal control training for staff members.”
Cox Media Group
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