According to the Boston Herald, Patrick diverted 27 million dollars he could use as a slush fund to avoid cutbacks in the budget. Between 2011 and 2014, Patrick and members of his administration spent 1.35 million dollars in overseas travel, including $535,558 in hotel costs, $332,193 in airfare, $305,976 for limousines and ground transportation, and $175,000 in miscellaneous travel expenses.
One of the slush funds was administered by longtime Patrick confidant, Betsy Wall and it sent $17 million to Connelly Partners, an advertising firm that handles advertising for the Massachusetts tourism department. That money will be investigated because either it was laundered or it was spent on advertising for tourism. Either way, Patrick will be in trouble as it’s illegal for him to spend money not allocated by the state legislature. I’m sure the state will make sure the money went to advertising and not part of a kickback scheme.
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority supplied most of the money. A spokesperson for the MCCA said they transferred the money at the request of Gov Patrick.
Source: Red Statements
Photo: Boston Herald
