NEW: Providence Housing Attorney Violated Hatch Act While Running for State Rep.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
A staff attorney for the Providence Housing Authority violated the Hatch Act when she ran for a seat in the Rhode Island legislature earlier this year, according to a letter released by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
The Hatch Act prohibits those who are paid with, or have control over, federal funds from running for office.
“After investigating the allegations set forth in your complaint, we have determined that Ms. Bergin’s candidacy in the 2012 election for state representative was in violation of the Hatch Act,” the letter states. “However, because we had previously advised Ms. Bergin that her candidacy was not prohibited by the Act we have decided not to pursue disciplinary action on this matter and are closing the above-referenced file without further action.”
The complaint was lodged by Sean Pope, a Providence Housing Authority employee who earlier this year claimed the agency’s former executive director Stephen O’Rourke sexually harassed his wife while she worked at the Authority. O’Rourke would later resign, but maintains that he never harassed any of his female employees.
Bergin, a former Cranston City Councilor, did not respond to multiple requests for comment on this story.
Earlier this year, the Office of Special Counsel also found that failed State Senate candidate David Gorman violated the Hatch Act, but decided no further action was necessary. In Woonsocket, outgoing State Rep. Jon Brien filed a similar complaint after he lost his Democratic primary to Stephen Casey, but the Office of Special Counsel ruled that he was allowed to run and serve in the General Assembly.
Dan McGowan can be reached at dmcgowan@golocalprov.com. Follow him on Twitter: @danmcgowan.
Comments:
bill bentley
2:04pm on Friday, December 07, 2012
It would be more accurate to write that Mr. O'Rourke was found not to have sexually harassed anyone after an exhaustive investigation by HUD officials and paid more than $225,000 by the PHA. Wouldn't that be a more honest assessment of what happened? Ah, that doesn't fit the smear agenda so innuendo is better than the facts, is that correct?
marcia greeley
8:22pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
I think we should give Pope the dope a DADDY OF THE YEAR AWARD what a joke !!!
pie plate
11:50pm on Friday, March 01, 2013
this guy will not give up until he can get something to stick on anybody. why don't he try investigating himself, he hold a job that he is clearly not qualified for. he lied on his resume that he has a degree in landscape architecture. but he actually does not have one. but, he is not demoted to his prior job title. check that out!!!!