The Attorney General’s office has agreed to investigate Democratic Party allegations that Governor Craig Benson improperly disclosed his financial ties to a Golf Club regulated by the state.
In a letter sent to Democratic Party Chair Katy Sullivan, Attorney General Peter Heed said he’s assigned two lawyers to Benson’s financial disclosure form…..and determine if the Governor should have made it plain that he holds a 12 million dollar mortgage on the Golf Club of New England. State prosecutors will also look into whether or not Benson exerted any undue influence when the Golf Club needed department of environmental services approval to alter a wetlands permit….Democratic Party Chair Cathy Sullivan says the public deserves a more complete look at Governor Benson’s finances.
“I think it’s critically important that we have a clear understanding of what the governor has investments in and if there are other potential conflicts of interest that the Governor has not disclosed.”
The Governor’s office says Sullivan is grasping at straws. Earlier this month, Benson legal counsel Chris Reid insisted that the Governor’s level of disclosure has been exemplary.
"He’s filed broader and more thorough disclosure than any governor has……so there is no failure to disclose here….."
Reid also said the Benson administration has already looked into whether or not the Governor in any way influenced DES's decision regarding the golf course’s wetland permit.
"If he did stick his finger into this permitting process, he’d have a problem….But I’ve asked the question….I’ve gone down the line and said did anybody have any involvement with this that had anything to do with the governor’s office….and the answer is no."
And as for the Governor himself,…..he seemed less than fazed that the Attorney General Heed has decided to look into the democrats concerns.
"Great. Whatever he does -- go for it. Peter’s a good man."
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo