MA Firefighter Ripped for Political Stunt

Oct. 19 -- WORCESTER, MA -- A city firefighter who is a Republican candidate for state representative violated state law by wearing his Fire Department-issued gear and posing in front of a city fire engine in photos used in his campaign literature, the Massachusetts Democratic Party alleges in a complaint filed with the state Ethics Commission on Thursday.

"Paul Fullen's decision to feature taxpayer-funded uniforms and equipment in his partisan campaign advertisements are a clear violation of state law," the state Democratic Party's chairman, Gus Bickford, who signed the complaint, said in a prepared statement.

"The decision raises serious questions about the Fullen campaign's respect for rules intended to ensure fair elections," Mr. Bickford said. "The residents of the 17th Worcester deserve better than a representative who, at best, lacks critical attention to detail and, at worst, is openly flouting state law to influence the election."

Worcester Fire Lt. Paul Fullen, a conservative Republican, is running against liberal Democrat David LeBoeuf for an open legislative seat in the 17th Worcester District, encompassing the town of Leicester and Worcester's Main South and Webster Square neighborhoods.

"Obviously, the Democratic Party is going to jump on any tidbit they can to try and distract from their candidate's failure to connect with the voters and divert attention from his radical agenda that is wildly out of step with the district," Lt. Fullen told the T&G in an email Thursday.

"If there are any issues with the mailer then I am happy to talk with the commission to rectify the situation," he said. "I do however think it would only be appropriate to reserve specific comment until I hear from them."

The Democrats argue Massachusetts law prohibits public officials from using their official positions for personal benefit. "Just as the use of a publically (sic) issued car for private purposes would violate the law, so too does the political use of a publically financed uniform and city equipment for political gain," Mr. Bickford writes in the complaint filed Thursday.

A spokesman for the Worcester Fire Department, Deputy Chief Martin Dyer, said Thursday the matter will be investigated by the department. He declined to comment further.

The Fullen campaign already has been fending off criticism this week over another mailing, which pictured Lt. Fullen shaking hands with South High Principal Jeffrey Creamer, accompanied by an apparent endorsement from the principal. The two men were 1989 classmates at South High Community School and are related by marriage.

Mr. Creamer has disavowed the endorsement, saying he did not give permission for a quote or portrait to be used in the candidate's campaign flier.

The Democrat in the race, Mr. LeBoeuf, said via email Thursday: "It concerns me that my opponent continues to mislead the voters and manipulate the facts."

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