$2 billion. Political insiders. Too many questions.
Beacon Hill insiders helped steer a nearly $2 billion Springfield courthouse deal to political allies and a newly formed real estate company with no established development track record.
Then the scrutiny started. One insider headed for the exit.
Now Massachusetts taxpayers could be left holding the bill.
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The nearly $2 billion Springfield courthouse project has drawn scrutiny over the political connections surrounding the winning development team. The Boston Herald described it as an “apparent insider deal” and raised questions about the political connections and potential conflicts surrounding two of the men involved.
One of the principals behind CoJo Real Estate, Conan Harris, has a criminal history that includes a drug-trafficking conviction and prison sentence. His involvement in the courthouse deal has drawn additional scrutiny.
As WCVB reported, a court filing raised “fresh questions and conflicts of interest” surrounding the courthouse award. Those questions centered in part on John Barros, who had a financial interest in the winning development team while also serving as the head of a state authority.
Sources
As scrutiny of the deal intensified, Barros announced he was divesting his interest in the courthouse project. The move came shortly after the nearly $2 billion award and amid the conflict-of-interest lawsuit.
Sources
The Bottom Line
A nearly $2 billion courthouse project. Political connections. Questions about conflicts of interest. And an insider who walked away after scrutiny hit.
Massachusetts taxpayers deserve answers.
Governor Healey can fix this.
Tell her: Fix the Courthouse Deal. Rescue Massachusetts taxpayers.
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