Conflict of interest laws clear on city workers as campaign volunteers

LYNN – Financial ties bind key campaign volunteers in Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy?s reelection campaign and City Council President Timothy Phelan?s mayoral bid.Phelan?s campaign manager and brother, Vincent, earns $87,125 as a special assistant to the city solicitor, according to a copy of his city contract. Jamie Cerulli, who earns $60,000 a year as Kennedy?s chief of staff, is serving in the mayor?s campaign as a volunteer.State campaign finance laws prohibit public employees from soliciting or receiving campaign donations.?They can?t collect money or be involved in solicitation of campaign money,” said Jason Trait, Office of Campaign and Political Finance spokesman.State conflict of interest laws also draw a line between public employment and campaigning; it bans the use of public resources, such as telephones, electronic mail, copying machines, to promote a campaign or to send out campaign-related communications.Under conflict-of-interest laws, a public employee in a position of authority cannot “influence subordinates” on campaign-related efforts such as raising money.Vincent Phelan said he is aware of the prohibitions.?For 20 years, I?ve volunteered on my brother?s campaigns and I?ve painstakingly kept the job of solicitor and volunteering for him separate,” he said Thursday. Timothy Phelan said his brother?s city employment preceded his own involvement in city politics beginning with his 1990 candidacy in a special election for Ward 4 councilor.Hired in 1986 as a city Law Department clerk, Vincent Phelan has worked in the solicitor?s office since then, except for service as an Army captain in 1990 in the judge advocate general corps. Phelan signed a city contract on May 1, 2013 running through April 30, 2015 that specifies his duties and compensation. Kennedy is one of three city officials who also signed the contract.On Thursday she praised his political experience.?You need a campaign manager who you can trust and who is experienced. Vinny fits the bill in all those categories,” she said.Phelan?s Law Department responsibilities include trial preparation on city cases, conducting trials and appearing at state government hearings as well as “Legal research as required for the Mayor?s office and City Council…,” according to the contract.Cerulli has worked for two years as Kennedy?s chief of staff and said the mayor laid down strict rules concerning campaign conduct.?I know I can?t handle money. I can?t work the door at a fundraiser. She?s very clear on the rules,” Cerulli said.Kennedy earlier this month said Kenneth Weeks, the campaign manager who oversaw her 2009 mayoral victory, will run her campaign this year. On Thursday she said time commitments will restrict Weeks to campaign volunteer service.Weeks has worked as a part-time information technology consultant in the mayor?s office since 2010, earning $62,587 since then. Cerulli said Weeks works on an “as need basis” several hours a week. Kennedy said she is meeting Friday with a potential campaign manager, but declined to identify that individual.?I assume the person will accept,” she said.Timothy Phelan on Thursday announced that Rose Mary Sargent, former aide to U.S. Rep. John Tierney, will join his campaign team as community relations director. Tierney praised Sargent during an Aug. 6 City Hall speech as someone with extensive contacts and a strong reputation in Lynn?s Spanish speaking community.In a statement announcing her role in Phelan?s campaign, Sargent is quoted as saying, “Tim has done a lot for Lynn, and I believe he is the right person with the right character to move Lynn forward.”