NiSource Donated To Campaigns Of Rivera, Other Local Officials

LAWRENCE, MA -- Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera received $1,600 in political contributions from the political action committee for the utility being blamed for the September gas explosions in his city and neighboring Andover and North Andover. Rivera received more from the PAC of NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, than any other elected official or candidate in the three communities, according to state and federal campaign finance records.

Patch has asked the mayor's office for comment and will update this story when we hear back from them. Since the Sept. 13 gas explosions that killed one and left thousands without heat or hot water, Rivera has been one of the company's most outspoken critics. At a Congressional hearing in Lawrence Monday, he called for the utility to be broken up. "No more second chances," he said to cheers.

But the contributions show the fine line elected officials walk when they have to fund campaigns and holding the companies that fund those campaigns accountable. The last contribution from NiSource to Rivera was for $500 on Nov. 14, 2017. Between Oct. 16, 2013 and Nov. 14, 2017, Rivera received seven contributions totaling $1,600 from NiSource.

By comparison, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker received $2,500 from NiSource during the same time period. His lieutenant governor, Karyn Polito, received $1,500. Attorney General Maura Healey received two contributions from NiSource, for $500 each in 2016 and 2017.

During the five years covered by the records, NiSource made 325 contributions totaling more than $85,000 to candidates for elected office in Massachusetts. Not surprisingly, many of the contributions targeted officials in the communities where its Columbia Gas of Massachusetts until does business.

Barry Finegold, who won election for state Senator from Dracut, Tewksbury, Lawrence and Andover, received five contributions from NiSource totaling $950 between 2010 and 2013, when he previously held the seat. The only other elected official to receive contributions during the timeframe was outgoing state Sen. Barbara L'Italien (D-Andover), who received a $200 contribution from the company's PAC in 2014.

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Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera stands behind Gov. Charlie Baker at a press conference on Sept. 14. Photo by Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).