The Headline in the Sun sums it up “Guilty plea expected in Lowell RMV scheme“
This should close this portion of Investigation City and it is good to see that the entire Lowell Delegation was cleared of any wrong doing.
I am saddened but not surprised that Joe Tully would do this and there is no excuse for it but I am also glad that at his advanced age and the fact he is his son’s caretaker that he took a plea bargain. Joe is a character from old time politics and a very likable man. When he served the City both has State Senator and City Manager Joe did a lot for Lowell.
When this first came up I stated in a Post:
Now I have been very critical of State Reps. Murphy & Golden and to some degree Nangle while I have stated that I like Sen. Steve Panagiotakos. I also have stated that I like Joe Tully. Even though Joe has been convicted before.
I just cannot and unless proven otherwise will not believe that any of the Lowell Delegation, especially Kevin Murphy or Steve Panagiotakos are stupid and would risk their positions for short dough. Pangy & Murphy are well established politicians and lawyers and $4,000 is not going to be a huge deal to either of them and certainly not worth losing your livelihood over. If they were found guilty of taking a bribe, kick-back whatever you want to call it they would face disbarment and be unable to practice law and neither gentleman is that stupid.
The same holds true for Nangle and Tom Golden. They have been in office a long time and are well established. $4,000 or even $7,000 or $10,000 (2-3 Way split with Tully) isn’t worth a $60,000 a year plus job. Neither Golden or Nangle that we know of is in desperate need of cash. No matter my difference with Golden’s voting record or lobbyist connections, I don’t think Tom is stupid, greedy or a fool to risk his reputation and family name, and the same holds true for Dave Nangle.
I also still hold to the belief that Tom Byrne is NOT the co-conspirator or at least not willingly. He may have been in the room but he has NOT that we know of been indicted and until such (if ever) time I will continue to give Tom the benefit that you are innocent until proven otherwise.
I don’t know Tom very well besides spending some time with him on Saturday Morning Live but Tom strikes me has a decent guy who wouldn’t knowingly be part of this. I will be accused of being native, stupid or sucking up but could care less. I’m still supportive of him.
Just has this comes to a close we now have the part-time Sealer of Weights and Measures John Hynes being placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, as a result of an investigation into his work performance.
He of course claims this was a case of “Political payback” because he was hired by John COX!
SHOCKING that a disgruntled employee would make this claim and then go on the local radio and repeat the claim and then accuse the Manager of inflating the expected revenue from his replacement.
Another day in Lowell…The Investigation City!
