State Investigation Concludes No Wrongdoing by Framingham Democratic Town Committee

The following is a press release from the Framingham Democratic Town Committee:

The Massachusetts Democratic Party has notified the Framingham Democratic Town Committee that the complaint filed against the Committee has been 
thoroughly reviewed and dismissed.

A Challenge Review Committee was appointed by Party Chair, Thomas McGee, to address the various complaints lodged as a result of issues arising at several of the state’s caucuses, including Framingham’s. That Review Committee analyzed and considered the letter of complaint as well as several emails pertaining to the issues raised by a complaint filed on behalf of a registered Democrat alleging that he had been improperly 
excluded from participation in the caucus. 

The Framingham resident wished to run for a position as a Delegate to this summer’s State Democratic Convention, but because of the passage of a deadline while his paperwork was being processed, he was unable to stand for election. Upon its examination of the relevant evidence, the blue ribbon Challenge Review Committee ruled unanimously that the results of the Framingham Caucus of March 2, 2014, are to be upheld, and found that there was no misconduct or impropriety in the events taking place at that Caucus.

In a statement following the announcement by the State Democratic Party, Framingham Democratic Town Committee’s newly elected chair, Jerry Desilets, stated, that he has a strong commitment to making his Town Committee one of inclusion.

“It is unfortunate that this occurred, and I can only hope that now that we have had a pronouncement from the Party Chair, that we will move forward and do the good work that sets us apart from others who do not share our values and ideals," said Desilets.
 
In an email to the members of the Town Committee announcing the findings, Desilets told the members, “ I am looking forward to my two years as your Chair, and am hoping that with this issue now closed, that we return to our mission of doing what we do best – caring about people, issues and the quality of our government.”

Desilets pointed out that the exclusion of the voter in question was the result of a sad confluence of events with several factors not in the control of the Democratic Town Committee, the voter or any other person.

Desilets stated, ”we have learned a valuable lesson from this unfortunate incident, and all concerned will be vigilant to assure that the situation 
does not occur again.”

Editor's Note: First published at 2 a.m. and updated with new photo.