Administration disputes News story

By George P. Hassett

  Thomas P. Champion, director of communications for the city, said today that this week’s issue of The Somerville News contains a factual error in the story, "Journal gets it wrong."

  In the last paragraph of the story, City Solicitor John Gannon is indirectly quoted as saying an investigation into improper fundraising by the head of the Department of Public Works was over. Champion said the quote is incorrect and false.

   "At no time did John Gannon say that the investigation was over," he said. "In fact John repeatedly told reporters that the investigation was not complete."

   In a closing paragraph of the city’s report to the State Ethics Commission and the office of Campaign and Political Finance, Gannon wrote, "Because of the lack of any detail on such an event, the investigation team finds the allegations by former Superintendent {Joseph} Voutour to have no merit."

   In another closing paragraph, Gannon wrote, "The attorneys from the investigation team could find no issues that would warrant disciplinary action as to any City employee."
   At a March 8 public hearing, Gannon also said investigators from the city would not interview any more contractors or DPW employees.