| For Immediate Release Contact: Holly Robichaud 781-424-2631 [email protected] |
| CRC Asks U.S. Attorney to Investigate Attorney General Grants Boston, MA. . .Today Toby Leary, the Chairman of The Civil Rights Coalition, is asking U.S. Attorney Leah Belaire Foley to investigate Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s grant to the Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and its connection to the newly formed ballot committee “Yes for a Safe Massachusetts.” Both entities are organized by the same person Ruth Zakarin. “Our tax dollars are not supposed to be used for political campaigns. I find it hard to believe that Zakarin receives a huge grant from the Attorney General’s office and within weeks opens a ballot campaign account. It is too coincidental. That’s why today we are asking for the U.S. Attorney to take a deep dive into the books for both organizations,” said Leary. According to an April 7th press release issued by Attorney General Campbells’ office, Ruth Zakarin is the CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and her organization was awarded a $50,000 grant. Records filed with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance on May 9th show Zakarin to be the Chairman of “Yes for a Safe Massachusetts.” The Civil Rights Coalition is asking for the U.S. Attorney to investigate bank statements along with communications between the Attorney General’s office, the new ballot committee and Gun Violence Coalition. “Our organization is striving to restore law-abiding residents their 2nd Amendment rights and now we must work to protect our tax dollars from being abused,” said Leary. The Civil Rights Coalition filed a complaint with the State Ethics Commission over a month ago. The recent response to their complaint was that there are no “conflict of interest law violations.” “We did not suggest there was a conflict of interest. We believe there is an inappropriate funneling of tax dollars to a political organization. It is disappointing the State Ethics Commission will not act. Fortunately, we can seek help from the U.S. Attorney’s office,” said Leary. “Whether an elected official agrees or disagrees with an issue, it doesn’t give them the right to funnel money to a political organization,” said Leary. “We have seen Campbell ignore the will of the voters with the legislative audit ballot question, so it is extremely feasible she is once again putting her agenda ahead of the voters.” For more information about The Civil Rights Coalition and our ongoing efforts, visit https://thecivilrightscoalition.com. |
The Civil Rights Coalition Asks US Attorney to Investigate MA Attorney General Grants
