Framingham Gets Sued for Alleged 'Vote Buying'

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Town Meeting member and selectman candidate Deborah Butler is suing the town and accused the Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman of allowing a developer to "buy" his vote, Wicked Local reported.

The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously voted to allow the developing company Brendon Properties to build over 55 housing and assisted living facilities at the former Marist Retreat Center, Wicked Local reported.

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Butler's lawsuit, which was filed with the Middlesex District Court, claims Chairman Phil Ottaviani only voted "yes" for the project because Brendon properties donated $10,000 to a political cause he supported, Wicked Local reported.

The developer reportedly donated to Framingham First, a group that wants Framingham to "evolve into a city" and campaigned to create a charter commission according to Wicked Local

Butler's lawsuit accuses Ottaviani of violating the state conflict of interest law. Ottaviani and Brendon Properties both deny these allegations, according to Wicked Local.

“I have been involved with Framingham First. My wife made a donation of $600 to date. I have done no fundraising for this organization," Ottaviani said a at a public meeting, Wicked Local reported.