James Fitzpatrick
The Chelsea Retirement Board, following required procedures, approved a full retirement package for James Fitzpatrick, the longtime Director of Modernization and Procurement at the Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA), during a meeting held last week.
During the tenure of former Executive Director Michael McLaughlin, Fitzpatrick served as director of modernization and procurement. Investigations have revealed that no modernization projects were actually completed during this period, and procurement procedures were consistently disregarded—allegedly at McLaughlin’s direction.
Fitzpatrick’s retirement became effective on March 20th. His pension will equal 80 percent of his highest three years of earnings, totaling $91,060, which translates to approximately $70,000 annually.
Though not considered a central figure in the McLaughlin matter, observers widely question how Fitzpatrick could have remained unaware of serious irregularities. His position required him to manage federal funds designated for updating and modernizing the CHA’s units. Investigators from federal housing agencies have stated they can find no evidence of any projects done with those federal funds under the watch of McLaughlin and Fitzpatrick. In fact, federal housing officials are demanding that the CHA repay those allegedly misused funds. However, unlike McLaughlin, Fitzpatrick, 62, has not been charged with any wrongdoing as of now and could not have his retirement restricted or held up – as McLaughlin’s has been.
Chair Joe Siewko stated, “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/b56eC12-150×150.jpg” “There’s nothing pending against him now and no charges are pending against him,” said Chair Joe Siewko. “We could revisit if need be.””http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/b56eC12-150×150.jpg”
According to the Board’s attorney, they were obligated to process Fitzpatrick’s retirement because he is presumed innocent. The attorney noted that if a conviction were obtained, the retirement could be reconsidered and the pension could potentially be forfeited.
Regarding McLaughlin, no action was taken by Retirement Board officials at the Feb. 28th meeting despite his recent guilty plea. Officials indicated they must wait until after McLaughlin’s May sentencing before acting on his pension. State retirement officials have suggested it will be routine to strip McLaughlin of his pension, returning only his personal contributions.