Complaint Filed With State Ethics Commission Against School Committee Candidate

A complaint questioning the residency of Attleboro School Committee candidate David Murphy was filed with the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission on Oct. 11, but the Commission found that there was no violation of the conflict of interest law.

Murphy has recently because he made public that he was leasing an apartment in Boston, the same city where his employer, Nixon Peabody, is located. Murphy has denied allegations that he does not live in Attleboro. In fact, Murphy said his legal address is his parents' home in Attleboro, but that he also leases an apartment in Attleboro. "I am an Attleboro resident," Murphy said.

"We have conducted a review of the information you furnished to the State Ethics Commission via an online complaint filing on Oct. 11, 2011," writes Special Investigator Scott Cole to an undisclosed recipient. "Based upon that review, and on any necessary follow-up investigation, we have concluded that there is no indication of any violation because of the conflict of interest law, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A. This is because the subject of your complaint is a candidate for public office as oppose to holding public office. Thus, this matter is not within the jurisdiction of this commission."

The matter will not be investigated until Murphy is an elected official. If, after he is elected it is discovered he is not a resident of Attleboro, he would not be eligible to hold the office. It's estimated that would cost the city between $15,000 and $18,000.