Update in Alleged Ethics Violations by Planning Board Member

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission earlier this week issued an Order to Show Cause against Planning Board member Richard McClure, necessitating a hearing within 90 days on alleged violations of Massachusetts conflict of interest laws.

Their complaint begins with his legal representation in an August 2010 Land Court case on Fair Street, which was amended in October 2010 to include the Town of Chelmsford.

He continued to act as an attorney on this case despite his election to the Planning Board in April 2011, and was disqualified from the case in October 2011 by a Land Court judge citing "knowing" conflict of interest.

The statement from the Commission also mentioned McClure's legal representation of the pro-recall faction in last year's special town election.

McClure wrote to Patch last year challenging any claims of impropriety.