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| NEWS > 02 November 2006 |
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 Article sourced from
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Somerville Journal - Somervill
02 November 2006
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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State probes officer fired aft
Somerville Police Officer Scott Trant violated the conflict of interest law by offering to purchase property at a deep discount from a woman seeking police assistance, the state Ethics Commission announced Wednesday.
Already fired in September after the city investigated the deal, Trant faces a probe by the state.
According to the Ethics Commission, on Feb. 9, 2005, an Everett woman allegedly visited the Somerville Police Department and sought assistance from Trant, who was on duty, regarding her ex-husband, who was said to be living in an illegal apartment in the basement of a dilapidated property cited for code violations. The woman allegedly told Trant about her ex-husband's behavior and questionable mental state.
The property, at 21 Vernon St. in Somerville, was owned in trust by the woman and her two children. The ethics report stated the woman had agreed to have her ex-husband removed from the property and to correct any code violations as part of a January 2004 agreement with the Somerville Inspectional Services Division.
She allegedly told Trant that she had considered selling the property and had rejected an offer of $100,000. Trant allegedly offered to purchase the house, which was assessed at $438,700, for approximately $200,000.
Before the transaction became final, the city said in a press release, the Somerville Police learned of Trant's actions and began an investigation.
Trant was suspended for five days in June and was told the city would seek further disciplinary action. In September, he was terminated as a police officer.
The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission's Enforcement Division this week issued an "Order to Show Cause" alleging Trant violated the state's conflict of interest law by attempting to purchase property from a person seeking police assistance in connection with the property.
After Trant was fired from his Somerville job in September by the city, Somerville officials refused to comment. At that time, patrolmen's union head Jack Leutcher said, "I believe the city should not have fired the officer, and only time will prove that as we go ahead with his appeal."
Leutcher said there was more information on the firing at the time, but declined to talk about it on the record, saying he didn't want Trant "dragged through the mud."
According to Journal archives, Trant had been an honorable officer. In 2004, the American Legion Post 19 awarded its Alexander McQuestion Award for bravery and acts of heroism to Trant and another officer after they entered a burning building at 78-80 Flint St. to help rescue an elderly couple escape from the second floor.
According to the recent chain of events cited by the Ethics Commission, Trant attempted to phone ISD to gain more information about the city's action involving the house; contacted the psychiatric unit of Cambridge Hospital for "information about getting someone committed;" went to 21 Vernon St. to conduct a "welfare check;" and reported to Cambridge Hospital on the ex-husband's condition on February 9 and 10, 2005.
According to the Ethics Commission:
On Feb. 11, the ex-husband was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.
On Feb. 14, Trant discussed the ex-husband with caseworkers at Cambridge Hospital and the Department of Mental Health.
On Feb. 23, Trant again offered by phone to purchase the house for $200,000. He had an attorney draw up a standard purchase-and-sale agreement and gave the agreement to the woman.
After the Somerville Police Department began investigating Trant's conduct regarding this matter, he increased his offer to $300,000, the report stated.
The Ethics Commission said a public hearing will be scheduled within 90 days.
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