DeLeo Was Too Slow on DCF Crisis; Legislative Action Demanded by Galvin

Westford, Mass., April 30, 2014 – Second Middlesex District Candidate for State Representative, Dennis Galvin, charged today that House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s call for the resignation of DCF Commissioner, Olga Roche, was a case of too little too late.  Galvin pointed to yet another death of a young child in Grafton, who he said “should have been protected by this agency.”  Earlier this month, the public received confirmation of the tragic demise of Jeremiah Oliver of Fitchburg.  Oliver was also under the care and protection of DCF.

It was the Oliver case that first brought to light the disorganization and mismanagement within DCF, arguably one of the state’s most critical agencies. Galvin said, “Decisive action, such as firing Commissioner Roche, should have been taken then.  Maybe the life of another innocent victim could have been saved.”  Galvin charged that Speaker DeLeo chose to sit on the sidelines, accepting the Governor’s assurance that things would straighten out.  Galvin said, “They haven’t -- and another innocent, young child is dead.”          

While Galvin acknowledged Commissioner Roche has resigned amid intensifying pressure, he added that “in light of our Governor’s apparent allegiance to an agency manifesting severe evidence of mismanagement and abuse, the legislature must do more.”                 

Galvin urged the legislature to initiate a formal investigation into the activities of DCF. He called for something more focused than the Post Audit and Oversight Committee, suggesting the creation of a special legislative commission.  Galvin pointed to the creation of the state’s Crime Commission in the late sixties as the model.  Galvin said, “This commission should have subpoena power and the authority to take testimony under oath.  The object of the investigation would be to uncover the existence of deep patterns of abuse and malfeasance in the agency.”  Galvin added, “The commission’s findings and evidence should be turned over to the state’s Attorney General for criminal prosecution if that is indicated.  If the evidence were to show failed oversight by our Governor, he too should face sanctions.”

Galvin concluded, “The state of Massachusetts has failed Jeremiah Oliver of Fitchburg and now Aliana Lavigne of Grafton.  As citizens, we have a moral obligation to demand that our House and Senate take appropriate action to prevent further tragedies, because, it is becoming very plain, that our Governor either cannot, or will not, take such action on his own.”