Former Danvers, Salem Water Officials Fined For Ethics Violations

DANVERS, MA — Two former North Shore municipal water officials paid civil penalty fines for accepting gifts from a water meter manufacturer in violation of conflict of interest rules while they were in charge of purchasing for Danvers and Salem, according to the executive director of the State Ethics Commission.

State Ethics Commission Executive Director David Wilson said on Monday that former Salem Department of Public Services David Knowlton paid a $14,000 fine and former Danvers Department of Public Works Water and Sewer Supervisor Aaron Cilluffo paid $8,000 for violating conflict of interest rules in accepting ski trips, dinners and, in Knowlton's case, free Red Sox and Celtics tickets.

"When public employees accept gifts from vendors doing business with their agencies, they give the public cause to question the integrity of their purchasing decisions and their performance of other duties relating to vendors," Wilson said. "It is particularly important for those in leadership
positions to comply with the conflict of interest law, as they set an example for the public employees they supervise."

Wilson's office said Cilluffo and Knowlton, as well as officials in Sudbury and Southampton, admitted violating the conflict of interest law and each waived their right to adjudicatory hearings.

The Commission said the water meter manufacturer and distributor paid for lodging, meals, and ski lift tickets for municipal employees and, in some cases, the employees' guests. The conflict of interest law prohibits public employees from receiving anything worth $50 or more that is given to them for or because of their official positions.

The State Ethics Commission said Knowlton took part in ski trips to Sugarloaf, Stowe and Okemo from 2018 to 2020, and accepted Red Sox and Celtics tickets for two games in 2022. He was also accused of accepting free dinners in the North End and at the Envoy Hotel in Boston.

Knowlton resigned from his position in Salem in 2023.

Cilluffo attended the same three ski trips from 2018 to 2020 and accepted a free steakhouse dinner, according to Wilson's office.

The Commission encourages public employees to contact the Commission’s Legal Division at 617-371-9500 for free advice if they have any questions regarding how the conflict of interest law may apply to them.