THe other day, CapeCodToday's WampaBlog revealed what could be a scandalous conflict of interest of Deval Patrick.
As you know, Deval has been pushing for casino gambling in Massachusetts. The idea was not new, but his plan calls for 3 casinos.. This suggestion shocked many, but perhaps we have an explanation... Deval Patrick's wife, Diane, is a partner at the law firm Ropes and Gray, which has interests in casino gambling.
What should we make of the Deval and Diane/Ropes and Gray connection to major gambling interests? Would it not be better for all concerned if this problem had never reared its ugly head? Why could Diane Patrick not have said, "Honey, I love the firm but it would be a lot cleaner if I take a leave of absence while you are bankrupting the state and take some little job as, oh, say a college president or the executive director at some non-profit agency. There must be a lot of those jobs around for a governor's wife...nothing big or splashy, just some little half-million-dollar-a-year gig until folks catch wise to you."But, even if she did recuse herself from any aspect of the firm's dealings with casino gambling, there is still a major conflict.See, simple solution. She gets to pay the mortgages, he gets to keep his hands clean and Ropes and Gray will still do just fine. Not to make light of this situation; Diane Patrick is a lawyer with a strong resume and demonstrated marketable skills. She is also married to this state's chief executive, a man who is driving hard to establish vast gambling enterprises in Massachusetts.
All partners in law firms share in the firm's profits. Ropes and Gray is a rich and highly profitable firm. Even though she may recuse herself from any decisions or even conversations about the firm's representation of gambling interests, strategies, fees and similar matters, she will still gain substantial monetary benefits from her husband's policies as governor because she is a member of the mighty firm of Ropes and Gray. It will help with those mortgages -- but it stinks of conflict.Deval Patrick: Together we can... bring casino gambling in Massachusetts to increase my family's wealth!
