Former Weston Selectman Violated Conflict of Interest Law

WESTON, MA — Former Weston Selectman Douglas Gillespie admitted to violating the conflict of interest law and paid an $8,000 civil penalty for his violations.

Gillespie repeatedly worked as a selectman on matters affecting a proposed affordable housing development on property he and his brothers owned.

According to the State Ethics Commission, Gillespie tried to have the Board of Selectmen meeting minutes altered to hide his conflict of interest, and used his selectman position to provide his family an advantage in negotiating a sale of the property.

The conflict of interest law keeps municipal employees from officially participating in matters where they or their immediate family have a financial interest, according to the commission. Gillespie violated the prohibition by having discussions as a selectman regarding whether to lift the development restriction for the Boston Properties affordable housing proposal, even as he and his brothers had a financial interest in a competing proposal.

Gillespie also approved the response to an email concerning his involvement in affordable housing matters, which violates the prohibition.