Cape And Islands Official Faces Fine For 2021 Financial Disclosure Law Violation

CAPE COD, MA — The former Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Director for the Cape & Islands - Plymouth area faces potential fines for a financial disclosure law violation.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission today filed an order to show cause against David A. Rose, who officials say violated the Financial Disclosure Law by failing to file a Statement of Financial Interests for 2021.

The order initiates an adjudicatory proceeding against Rose, officials said.

The Financial Disclosure Law requires state and county employees who serve in designated major policymaking positions for 30 or more days in a calendar year to annually disclose their financial interests and private business associations by filing a Statement of Financial Interests for the immediately preceding calendar year with the State Ethics Commission.

A former public employee who left their major policymaking position after serving in that position for 30 or more days in a calendar year must still file an SFI for the prior calendar year.

According to the order to show cause, Rose was required to file an SFI for 2021 because he served for more than 30 days that year as Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Cape & Islands - Plymouth Area Director.

He failed to do so and, on June 7, 2022, the State Ethics Commission sent a formal notice of lateness to Rose at his last known home address advising him that he had missed the May 2, 2022 filing deadline and would be subject to a civil penalty if he failed to file within 10 days of receiving the notice. The notice advised him that he would not incur a penalty if he filed before the “grace period” ended on June 20, 2022.

To date, Rose has not filed an SFI for 2021.

If the allegations against him are proven, Rose will be subject to a $2,500 civil penalty if he files his 2021 Statement of Financial Interests before the Commission issues its Decision and Order in the matter. If he doesn't file, he will be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 in accordance with the penalty schedule.

The Commission will schedule a hearing on the matter within 90 days.